The Future Glory of Zion

Saying this may be HUGE steps back for women in ministry, but here goes...

For whatever reason... Lately I've been haunted by the words of some woman in some class I taught. I can't even see her face - so I really don't know who said it to me... But in the middle of some teaching she cut me off very shortly with a quick, "You don't, understand because you don't have a family." or was it know? Alright something like that - ha ha ha.


As if to say I couldn't teach any farther or teach her in particular because I just didn't have the wisdom or experience, at all. As if one lack in my journey thus far TOTALLY discredits my ability or authority to teach.

I had almost forgotten the entire moment. . . and then recently it began to haunt me. I just kept hearing it in the back of my mind... not a literal voice... but, well, you know. What the heck?!

Isaiah 54 reads....
The Future Glory of Zion
1 "Sing, O barren woman,
you who never bore a child;
burst into song, shout for joy,
you who were never in labor;
because more are the children of the desolate woman
than of her who has a husband,"
says the LORD.
2 "Enlarge the place of your tent,
stretch your tent curtains wide,
do not hold back;
lengthen your cords,
strengthen your stakes. . .
. . . Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated.
You will forget the shame of your youth
and remember no more the reproach of your widowhood.
5 For your Maker is your husband
the LORD Almighty is his name
the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer;
he is called the God of all the earth.

Yeah, we read that at Campus Life Student Leadership a few weeks back... and I was like WOAH. Yeah, I know there can be some dangers taking Scripture out of context - and this is about Zion .... but on some level it spoke to me.

I don't have a husband. But I have been pretty married to my job - which is QUITE different than thinking of my Maker as my husband - but they are connected.

And I don't have a child - but I have like 40 kids. So yeah. I will not fear disgrace. And I will not be humiliated. I will open our doors for more kids to come in the Youth Ministry.

And I will also remember that no matter how "great" some people might think I am - it's only because of He who is in me and who he made me to be and totally because He redeemed me.