It is easy to assume that we are walking prudently as godly women. But, I believed that those friends around who know us maybe a better judge. My best friend Marian has known me for more than a decade now. She is already aware of my weaknesses and areas of refinement. We are accountable with each other and committed to be a sister’s keeper.
Our brethren, (especially our sisters in the faith) are a great help as we continue walking in the path that the Lord has set before us. We need each other as we strive to fulfill the calling that the Lord has set for us as women of God.
Being a godly woman does not just happen by accident. We have to build it by God’s enabling grace.
I wrote in my previous article how we (women) can impact the world through our kind words towards others, especially the ones in the faith. As we grow spiritually, it is also our responsibility to come along side our sisters who are in need of someone to minister and encourage them in their walk with God. As what Paul said as a reminder to Timothy, we are to encourage older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, in all purity (1 Timothy 5:2). And, as older women, we also have to be reverent in behavior and not slanderers (Titus 2:3). In short, we are to set a good example to them. In this way, we are able to lead others in Christ.
How good it is to be a woman who is being used by God to be an inspiration to other women! I have seen a lot of sisters in Christ who are able to minister and encourage others. I have experienced being ministered and encouraged when I was a new believer (well, up until now). This helped me a lot and I am forever grateful to all the sisters in Christ who came along side and taught me how to live a life pleasing to the Lord. Until now, I am continuously learning, but I would also want to pass this on to others.
Ministering to other women is a privilege and yet, a great responsibility.
Why is it a privilege and yet a responsibility?
It is such a privilege when in purity, we want other women to grow deeper in their relationship with God and we would become a part of it. When we minister and encourage, we get to share our deep experiences with the Lord and we may encourage them to be more faithful and committed to God. Deep in our heart, our motive is to help this sister mature in the faith in the same way as we would want ourselves to walk maturely.
I am blessed with my friend, Salvs who, despite her own burdens and struggles, she is there to encourage our walk in the Lord. I see how godly this woman not only in her words, but in the walk that she has in Christ. Her optimism, positive spirit and words of affirmation soothe an aching soul. I have been encouraged by her for how many times. And, I appreciate it so much.
A sister shared with me how she is very discourage with what is going on with her life. As I listened to her story, a voice inside urged me to share my personal story of pains and struggles as I continuously walk by faith. I love this sister in Christ and it is my desire to uplift her weary spirit. It was not my intention to share those struggles with her, but I know that my story would be an encouragement as she faces this struggling moment in her life.
We would never know when a sister would be needing someone who can boost her spirit in times of troubles. This is a great opportunity for us to minister and encourage.
But, with this privilege comes the responsibility.
Practice what we preach
I have been ministering to fellow sisters for how many years now. One thing I have learned is that we can be effective in this area if our lives speak the things that we are professing. And, this is the hardest part. As what they always say, “walk the talk.” These younger women are looking at us. If our lives don’t speak the things we say, then our words would not have any impact. Whenever I counsel a friend or someone, I always ask the Lord to reveal to me if what I say is true to my life. How can I say, “hang in there because the Lord hears” when I myself is doubting God?” How can I say, “be gentle in words, if I myself is rude and tactless?”
But on the other side, I love ministering to women because I am continuously learning. It is also a great protection for me to be careful with my walk with the Lord as this is not just about me, but of others. Like what the famous line in a movie says, “the decisions we make impact others,” no matter how personal they may be.
Out of our comfort zone
There are times that friends and other sisters call or send me messages whenever they need someone to talk to or counsel. And, there are moments when I feel so lazy taking their call or messaging them back. But I am always reminded to die to myself as what Christ has done for us. It is not when it is comfortable and convenient that we can show our love and concern to others, but when it is inconvenient and out of our comfort zone. For “even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28). Jesus is the ultimate example on how we put others first before ourselves, even if its out of our way.
Whenever a sister in Christ asks me to go out to fellowship, more often than not, I would rather do my thing. But I always go back to those times that there were sisters in Christ who ministered and cared for me. This motivates me to do the same with my sisters. I no longer have any chance to do this with them, and I am left with the idea of “pay it forward.” My love for them compels me to listen and minister to them. The bible reminds us that “A friend loveth at all times” (Proverbs 17:17) whether in joy or sadness, in poverty or abundance, and in peace or adversity. This is the beauty of being a sister’s keeper. A friend who is always there no matter what life throws us is such a great blessing
It is a joy to share our lives with our sisters in the faith as we treasure God’s design for us to walk a life that is worthy of our call.
I like what Elizabeth Elliot said that,
“The fact that I’m a woman does not make me a different kind of Christian, but the fact that I’m a Christian does make me a different kind of woman.”
May others see a difference in us because we are Christians who happens to be women.
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