Women’s Ministry: Walking With God
Walking With God
An autumn walk is refreshing to the soul. Fresh air and gentle breezes stimulate the senses. It can be a time to meditate on the beauty of all God’s creatures and a time to be thankful for all God does for us. Autumn is the closing of summer activity, and yet the beginning of new challenges and journeys in our lives. Sometimes these changes can be stressful.
When I was asked to join the Women’s Ministry Team, I felt very honored and yet apprehensive to accept this invitation to help serve the women in our church. I would be asked to write a devotion once during this year. This touched one of my insecurities – writing for others to read. What could I say that would possibly be received well, or be enough? Did you notice the words “I” and “my” used here. Do ‘I’ really have to do this by “my” self?
In Isaiah 41:13 we read “For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, “Fear not, I will help you.” In 1 John 5:14 it says “This is the confidence we have in approaching God, that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.” And in Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.”
All of us face new challenges as we journey through life. Maybe you are asked to speak to a group, but not feeling like a speaker; lead a Bible Study but not feeling knowledgeable enough to be that “leader.” Maybe you have to interview for a job, but worry about being good enough. Maybe you are going back to school wondering if you are smart enough, can you keep up? When meeting new people, you are concerned about being accepted. We face so many challenges day to day.
There are many situations in the Bible where God’s people faced challenges that they surely didn’t have confidence in their ability to meet God’s call. Think about Mary when she learned she was going to be the mother of the Messiah. The disciples were sent out to spread His word and heal people. They didn’t know anything about these people, much less speak their language. How did they meet these challenges?
We are reminded in Matthew 19:26 “With God all things are possible.” Be confident that God is leading, loving and protecting us and will be with us always!
Loving God, Take us by the hand and lead us. Guide us to do your will as we walk with you on our life’s journey. Amen.
This month’s devotion is written by our newest Women’s Ministry Team member, Judy Olson. She grew up in Scottsbluff and served as an elementary school teacher in Lincoln for 32 years and preschool teacher for 8. Judy was married to Bob Olson for 40 years until his passing and they had 2 children. Lisa lives in Houston, TX and Chris in Council Bluff, Iowa. Judy is blessed with 3 grandchildren Jonas, Macy and Mallory. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, watching sporting events, working in her flower garden, playing cards and Mahjong and walking in nature. At Sheridan, Judy enjoys participating in Bible Studies and Women’s Circles, volunteering at the Welcome Center and with Backpacks and attending SOLOS events.