3 Women of the Bible
Some of the Boldly Seeking team got to attend the Called women’s conference at Bethel University in March. I took some notes during the phenomenal keynote speakers and want to share the stories, testimonies, and highlights that I soaked up during the conference weekend.
First off, the Called conference was started by Melanie, one of the most generous women I have ever met, to support Elevate Hope House. Elevate is a program dedicated to helping single moms who need a community of support, shelter, and the Gospel. https://elevatehopehouse.org/our-story/
1 Peter 4:10 is the key verse for the conference which says, “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”
Sometimes women view other successful women as a threat to their own successes. But we are each CALLED to use whatever gift we have been blessed with to serve others- not to be jealous of other’s gifts.
One of the keynote speakers, Laurie P. Short, shared how she got connected to Elevate Hope House. Laurie was volunteering at a similar organization for women and met a 15 year old girl there. Laurie did not know how to “hang out” with this teenager at first, so they simply started doing the laundry together every week. The teenager got pregnant and decided to give the baby up for adoption. Laurie was able to support this young woman through the pregnancy and the baby was delivered surrounded in prayer. However, the couple that was lined up to adopt the newborn was no longer available. The teenager did not know what to do. Laurie heard of a couple who had been trying to get pregnant for 7 years who would be perfect for this new baby. In her message, Laurie shared how she is still connected to the young woman who gave birth all those years ago. Laurie is also in contact with that couple who adopted the baby and that baby is now graduating! This part of Laurie’s testimony was so encouraging and tied directly into the theme verse of 1 Peter 4:10.
Laurie continued to preach as she reminded us of what it means to be called. She spoke about three specific women in the Bible: Rehab, Abigail, and Ruth. The story of Rehab is found in Joshua 2. We read that Rehab hid two of Joshua’s spies and protected them from the king of Jericho. In return, the spies remembered Rehab’s bravery and helped protect her family when the time came. The interesting part that Laurie brought up was how Rehab was titled “prostitute” in Joshua, but in Matthew 1:5– in the genealogy of JESUS– there is not mention of her “prostitute” title. The lesson we can learn from Rehab is that “It’s less about your resume and more about your willingness to step out in faith.” You do not have to clean up for Jesus. Rehab was called to step out in faith and she obeyed. What are you feeling called to do?
The second woman that Laurie preached on was Abigail. Abigail was the wife of Nabal. Her story can be found in 1 Samuel 25. “A certain man in Maon, who had property there at Carmel, was very wealthy. He had a thousand goats and three thousand sheep, which he was shearing in Carmel. His name was Nabal and his wife’s name was Abigail. She was an intelligent and beautiful woman, but her husband was surly and mean in his dealings—he was a Calebite.” So we get some interesting descriptions from 1 Samuel about this couple. When David sends some of his servants to Nabal with good greetings, Nabal insults them and tells them he doesn’t know anything about this “David guy”. David, of course, is not too happy with Nabal’s response and is ready to attack this fool. Abigail hears about this plan of attack, she gathers food/ gifts, and rushes to intercept David and asks for forgiveness on behalf of her husbands’ foolishness. Abigail was successful and returned peacefully back home only to find her husband throwing a party and getting drunk. The next morning when Abigail told Nabal what she did, his heart turned to stone (probably a heart attack) and died! David was so impressed by Abigail’s humility, he invited her to be one of his wives. One of the lessons we can learn from Abigail is that “It’s less about your fear and more about your faith. God doesn’t take away your fear before you step out in faith.” When was a time that you have you overcome a fear? Do you notice how you still feel fear before you walk out of your comfort zone?
The third woman that Laurie preached on was Ruth. You are probably familiar with her story and you can read all four chapters in the book named after her. Sadly, the first chapter is full of death and the tragedy of losing loved ones. Ruth and her sister in law Orpah are mourning with their mother in law Naomi over their husbands’ deaths. Naomi tells the girls to move back home in hopes that they can still marry and have a good life with another husband, but Ruth stays with Naomi. The dedication, love, and patience that Ruth shows to Naomi does not go unnoticed by the Lord, and Ruth eventually remarries a great guy named Boaz. Some lessons we can learn from Ruth is that “We can’t alter the past, but we can bring our past to the altar.” We also learn that “It’s less about your circumstances and more about your courage.”
Whatever story you may connect to in this chapter of your life, I pray you find some hope in knowing that you are called by name to follow Jesus. The next step is obeying! I love this community of worship-filled men and women. Thank you for being a part of this!
