Modern Woman. Modern Life. And GodSample

Serving in the Local Church

Judge, prophetess, handmaiden, missionary, queen and businesswoman—these are a few of the ministries God has given women throughout Biblical history. As “heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ” (Ro 8:17) and members of “the body of Christ” (1Co 12:27), every woman receives God’s gifts to be used for his glory. The possibilities are as limitless as the needs of the world.

Jesus speaks each woman’s name as he did that of Mary in the garden following his resurrection (see Jn 20:11–18). When a woman’s response is as loving as Mary’s, Jesus answers as he did to Mary with a mission and message: “Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God’ ” (Jn 20:17).

Jesus’ desire is that each woman yield herself to him in utter dependence, recognizing that “apart from me you can do nothing” (Jn 15:5) and relying on his Spirit to fulfill the special ministry he selects for her—a ministry appropriate to her talents and effective in her generation. God challenges each of us as he did Queen Esther, “Who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” (Est 4:14).

Each woman is hand-picked by God, situated in Christ’s body just as he desires and is indispensable in reaching her particular sphere of influence for Christ. If a woman feels inadequate for the ministry task the Lord reveals to her, she need only remember Jesus’ words, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2Co 12:9).