From Ginger’s Heart To Yours….

Have you ever thought yourself to be a woman of influence?

Influence :1. an effect of one person or thing on another [Latin influere to flow into]

Each one of us has been entrusted by God with an area of influence within in our homes and community. Someone today is watching and witnessing how you handle yourself in everyday life and ultimately, it is up to you whether that influence would be a positive or a negative one. I’d like to share with you what two of my favorite Bible passages have to say on how our lives are meant to flow into one another for God:

But Ruth said, "Don't force me to leave you; don't make me go home. Where you go, I go; and where you live, I'll live. Your people are my people, your God is my god; where you die, I'll die, and that's where I'll be buried, so help me God—not even death itself is going to come between us!" (Ruth 1:16-17 The Message)

This is a true account of a mother/ daughter-in-law story that portrays a positive theme contrary to our society’s negative spin on mother-in-law relationships. Naomi was a seasoned woman of faith to a much younger Ruth. Naomi’s love of God and obedience to Him greatly influenced Ruth. Ruth saw something truly life-changing in the older Naomi and in her God, so much so that Ruth desired to pattern her own life in the same way as her mother-in-law. Ruth’s faithfulness to remain with Naomi led her to future husband Boaz. Ruth is recorded in scripture as the great-grandmother of King David, and thus is included in the lineage of Christ our Lord! A study of Naomi also reveals the importance the influence a younger woman has to an older woman. Naomi needed Ruth just as much as Ruth needed Naomi. This further goes to show how vital every generation is within the Body of Christ.

Guide older women into lives of reverence so they end up as neither gossips nor drunks, but models of goodness. By looking at them, the younger women will know how to love their husbands and children, be virtuous and pure, keep a good house, be good wives. We don't want anyone looking down on God's Message because of their behavior. Also, guide the young men to live disciplined lives. But mostly, show them all this by doing it yourself, incorruptible in your teaching, your words solid and sane. Then anyone who is dead set against us, when he finds nothing weird or misguided, might eventually come around. (Titus 2 : 3-8 The Message)

Our second New Testament Scripture reference is one that is my personal favorite and the call upon my life to be a Godly woman of influence. My life has and is blessed with many “Naomi’s” and “Titus 2 Women!” These faithful ones have come alongside me in grace and wisdom, teaching me to live my life out loud for Jesus! First and foremost, these seasoned women of faith taught me to prioritize God 1^st, my marriage 2^nd and my children 3^rd. I have learned that I cannot be a Godly influence for others unless these three priority areas that God alone has entrusted to me are well cared for. Why would you feed the neighbor’s children if your own at home were starving?? It’s the same with how we care for ourselves and the well-being of our families. If these 3 areas become neglected, it is a red flag that we may be focusing on other areas that will distract us from our God-given priorities. When our priorities are in order, then God may also lead us to be His influence with our friends, neighborhood, workplace, church, ministry, etc.

We have many women in our midst, who long to know Jesus more and follow Him. They need Godly women of influence to show them the way of this wonderful life of faith we share. It is a poignant reminder to my heart to know that I am now the older woman J (when did this happen?) following in the footsteps of those that have led before me. It has been said that there is no retirement for the Christian soul and I know this to be true. To God alone be the glory!

Ginger Warren