Lord, I look to You for all I am:
Your faithful love endures forever.
You take my ordinary, and turn it
into something marvelous!
Focus of the Month: Ordinary women with Extraordinary Hope
Some women whose lives are shared in the bible have dramatic stories; others are tragic or even heroic. Whether we read of their incredible missions, the hardships they endured, or the trials they overcame, some become memorable to us. We seem to gravitate to the heroines or to women who have overcome the odds. But, then there are some who aren’t so inspirational, and their lives go somewhat unnoticed. The common woman. The woman who is anything but extraordinary. Yet, God chose to reveal their stories to us.
When I think about my life I don’t really see any reason to jump up and down about it. I don’t have any major education achievements to brag about. I haven’t won a Nobel Peace Prize. I am actually pretty ordinary. I want my life to matter and I’d like to be remembered, but I don’t want the challenges some of the women in biblical times faced. I think that is why I relate to a woman called Priscilla. She doesn’t have a lot of page time in the scriptures; yet her life was used in such a manner that honored and glorified the Lord. If I can live a life that honors Him…well maybe that’s a little extraordinary after all.
Priscilla was wife to Aquila. Scripture tells us they had a business as tent-makers. It is written that Paul the apostle, met this couple in Corinth and worked together with them at the business. Paul, spent most of his life persecuting Christians. He was called to a life of spreading the message of Jesus Christ by Jesus, Himself (after His resurrection from the grave).
Well now it’s getting exciting…why would God have Paul meeting up with Aquila and Priscilla?
Next, we learn that an uprising of the Jews against Paul occurs due to his preaching and that he leaves Corinth for Syria. Priscilla and Aquila leave with Paul. It is written that they even risked their lives for him. The Word of God was so very precious to Priscilla that she went away with the men and risked her life! How deep her love of Jesus must have been.
Priscilla, along with her husband, shared the gospel message with others as they traveled and even meeting as a church in their own home. Although her story isn’t flashy, I love that she used her resources, her giftedness of teaching, and her hospitality in opening her home to others seeking God.
This lovely woman encourages me to love Jesus, to serve others and to faithfully extend the gospel message to those around me. It is when I give my life into God’s hands that He alone can do something wonderful and remarkable with me for His sake. As a teacher of the Word, let’s remember this scripture as we remember the faithful, bold and godly life of Priscilla:
All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work. (2 Timothy 3: 16-17)
Holding Fast to Hope,
Jen
Scripture References: Acts 18, Romans 16:3-5; 1 Corinthians 16:19; 2 Timothy 4:19