It was Youth Sunday in our church. As a teenager, I was either asked (or volunteered) to give the morning message. At this point in my life, I definitely knew Christ, but had a long, painful journey ahead of me in learning the basics of teaching the Bible. As clarification, I grew up in a mainline church. The pastor told some nice stories, but Bible teaching was kept in the rear-view mirror. Then came that fateful Sunday morning. I assumed that just because I read the Scripture and spoke confidently, hearts would change. Wow! Did I have a lot to learn!
GOD CALLED ME
There is one thing I remember distinctly from that experience. Teaching and communicating Bible was where God wanted me. No, not in that specific pulpit or possibly in no pulpit whatsoever, but I heard God was calling me. It may as well have been written on the back balcony wall (the place where most congregants say to snooze). I felt a major door open in my heart, but what was I to do with it? What exactly was my calling?
WHAT’S A GIRL TO DO?
In Beth Moore’s autobiography “All My Knotted-Up Life: A Memoir,” she writes, “I envied the boys who could confidently say, ‘God called me to preach!’ What on earth was less credible in my world than a girl obsessed with mascara, lip gloss, and hot rollers saying she’d received a vocational calling from God and no clue what to? I hadn’t the least notion what a woman in my denomination could do. I supposed I would become a missionary, but even that seemed so far-fetched at the time; I couldn’t picture it.”
MY BIGGEST ALLY
I’ve never belonged to Beth’s denomination, but I’ve lived for years with a vocational calling from God without knowing what to call it. My husband, the wonderful man that he is, has always encouraged me to grow spiritually and to mature others in the faith. He has gone to bat for me in congregations where women have been expected to be seen and not heard. Bill has traveled through deep valleys with me and never run from engaging with me regarding the spiritual hard questions. My dear husband is my greatest cheerleader, even when I’m the only one in the room who blurts out the obvious. We have way different skill sets in helping individuals grow in Christ, but Bill has never ever put me down because of my gender.
“THE MEN’S ONLY CLUB”
Years ago, in Bible college. I received top marks in theology. At graduation, I assumed I would walk down the aisle with the special tassel honoring those who distinguished themselves in theology. I was dumbstruck when I found out that I would not receive that honor. Of course, I asked the professor. He replied, “We only give that out to the men who have distinguished themselves.” Naïve little me was crushed.
WHAT MATTERS
Today, as I look back, does it really matter? Through the years, God has given me hundreds of opportunities to teach Bible and to disciple women for Christ. Achieving a tassel didn’t make a difference in the spiritual outcomes of these women (and men).
WHAT GOD HAS DONE
As I write this, I am honored to be able to write weekly devotionals and encourage others to develop their skills in writing for Christ. I have a special list of women near to my heart that I pray for, encourage, and regularly check in with regarding their spiritual health. No, I don’t have any big title next to my name. You can’t find me in a church staff directory. But God definitely called me and has never let go.
To what has God called you? Don’t let titles (or the lack thereof) get in the way for moving full throttle for God.