She Shines

• She lifted him up and gently placed him on her lap.  She wrapped her arms around him, and with her face buried in his rumpled head of hair, she breathed in the familiar smell of her precious son, filling her lungs so full of love that it almost hurt.  Glancing over his head, she looked at her mother sitting nearby and said a quiet prayer of thanksgiving to God for the blessings in her life.  “Would you like to hear another story?” she asked him.  He nodded his head eagerly and snuggled in closer to his mother as she began telling him about a young boy named David, chosen by God to be Israel’s future king, and how he defeated a giant using only a stone.

 

• She sat down by the side of the river surrounded by others who had gathered there for prayer.  A stranger joined the group and began talking to them about a man named Jesus who was crucified but had risen from the dead.  He explained that Jesus was truly the Son of God, and through Him forgiveness of sins could be obtained.  Her heart opened to the words of the stranger then she and her entire household were baptized.  She invited the preacher and his companion to stay with her and would later open her home to Christians worshipping in the area.

 

• She closed her eyes and felt her hair whipping around her face as she stood at the bow of the ship.  She didn’t know quite what to expect in the weeks ahead.  She had traveled before, but this journey found her carrying new precious cargo, something she felt compelled to deliver to as many people as possible: the truth about Jesus Christ.  Eighteen months ago her life had changed when she and her husband welcomed a man into their home; a man who shared their occupation but also devoted his time to teaching in the synagogue about the kingdom of God.  She looked over at him standing at the other end of the ship, thankful for his courage to proclaim the gospel, and ready to share the message with those people she and her husband would meet in the city across the sea.

 

• She could not understand why He was speaking to her; their differences were obvious, but that did not seem to bother Him as He asked her for a drink of water.  When she questioned His request, He began speaking to her about living water:  water that would never leave her thirsty, and that would lead to eternal life.  Yes, she wanted that water!  Then, He began to tell her things about her life; things He couldn’t possibly have known.  She guessed He was a prophet.  “Maybe he could answer the question concerning the proper place to worship?” she thought.  He explained to her that the time was coming when true worshipers would worship God the Father in spirit and in truth.  She told Him she knew the Messiah was coming and that He would explain all things to everyone.  Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am He.” 

She left her water pot and returned to the city, testifying to others about what she had seen and heard.  Many people believed in Jesus because of her words.

***

We read the inspirational stories of these women in the New Testament:  Eunice and Lois (2 Timothy 1:5), Lydia (Acts 16:14-15, 40)), Priscilla (Acts 18:1-4, 18-21), and the Samaritan Woman (John 4:7-26, 39).  We also cannot forget the accounts of Anna, Dorcas, Mary, Martha, and Phoebe.  Each woman used her unique circumstance to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ, and her influence continues to reach us today!

These women teach their modern day sisters something very important about evangelism:  all Christians, both men and women, have a responsibility to follow the command of “Go ye…” (Mark 16:15, Matthew 28:18).   The word evangelism is derived from the Greek word euaggelion, meaning “good news” and involves going and telling the message of redemption through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus to the entire world.  Every Christian must be committed to the “going”, whether near (to our own families and communities) or far (across the country or to foreign lands); and every Christian must be prepared, through diligent Bible study, to do the “telling”.

 

Eunice and Lois, Lydia, Priscilla, the Samaritan Woman, and the other faithful women of the New Testament, have shown us that Christian women are valuable in the process of evangelism and that they can effectively evangelize while also honoring the role God designed for his daughters in the church. 
 
As women, we cannot diminish the importance of teaching our children, as Eunice and Lois reared Timothy in the knowledge of the scriptures.  We cannot overlook the need for showing hospitality to fellow Christians, as Lydia extended kindness to Paul, Timothy, and the new converts in Thyatira.  We cannot ignore the duty of talking to our friends, neighbors, and co-workers about our faith, as Priscilla and the Samaritan Woman shared the gospel with those around them.  Teaching other women and children, writing Bible class materials, caring for the sick, encouraging the disheartened, participating in and supporting mission work, the opportunities for women to further God’s kingdom are abounding!
 

As a woman, she is loved and esteemed by her Creator.  When she realizes her worth in His eyes, she will understand that no effort made in spreading His word is an insignificant effort.   As a Christian, she serves as a light in this dark world.  When she recognizes her ability to influence others by sharing the good news of Jesus Christ, she doesn’t just glimmer……she shines!