Over the last few weeks I’ve shared some of the lessons God has taught me over the years in women’s ministry. You can read more about the first 2 lessons here, lessons 3 and 4 here, lessons 5 and 6 here, lessons 7 and 8 here, and lessons 9 and 10 here. Today I’m going to share one more lesson and some closing thoughts on leaving a heritage as a leader.
Lesson 11: Never Give Up
Keep following God’s call while you have the opportunity. Galatians 6:7-10 says, “Don’t be deceived: God is not mocked. For whatever a man sows he will also reap, because the one who sows to his flesh will reap corruption from the flesh, but the one who sows to the Spirit will reap eternal life from the Spirit. So we must not get tired of doing good, for we will reap at the proper time if we don’t give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, we must work for the good of all, especially for those who belong to the household of faith.”
Take time to read about William Carey. What he faced as he served as a missionary in India would make most people give up and go home, but not him. Because he refused to disbelieve God’s call in his life, an entire nation was changed. Persist in God’s calling in your life, even if you face obstacles. The eternal rewards will be well worth the sacrifice.
Leaving a Heritage
Keep in mind what you do today in ministry with women is laying groundwork for future generations. As we serve, we not only meet current needs, but we also build a future. Scripture tells us again and again we must pass our faith to the younger generations.
“My people, hear my instruction; listen to what I say. I will declare wise sayings; I will speak mysteries from the past—things we have heard and known and that our fathers have passed down to us. We must not hide them from their children, but must tell a future generation the praises of the Lord, His might, and the wonderful works He has performed. He established a testimony in Jacob and set up a law in Israel, which He commanded our fathers to teach to their children so that a future generation—children yet to be born— might know. They were to rise and tell their children so that they might put their confidence in God and not forget God’s works, but keep His commandments” (Ps. 78:1-7).
“This will be written for a later generation, and a newly created people will praise the Lord” (Ps. 102:18).
We must also pass along the baton of leadership. As you model godly leadership and train up others to lead, you will continue the legacy of faith and even make a difference in those who have yet to be born. What a responsibility, but what an incredible privilege!
This article is adapted from a chapter written by Chris Adams and found in Women Reaching Women: Beginning and Building a Growing Women’s Ministry compiled by Chris Adams.