Because I Was Asked

Have you ever realized that you were doing something good and honorable for all the wrong reasons?  It’s a very humbling experience.

Years ago I was asked to be president of the Women’s Ministries group at our church. It took a few years, but later I realized that my endeavors in this role had started out all wrong.  There were warning signs, but, in my inexperience, I didn’t see them.

I accepted the position because it was offered to me. I assumed that since they asked me to take this leadership position they must have thought I had the skills and ability to do the job. My husband and I were fairly new to the church and the other women of the church didn’t know me well enough to know if I could fill the position.  The church was not very large. I didn’t realize that others had taken their turn and now they were down to me. I let others direct my course.

I had no clear understanding of what outcomes were expected of me, or of the group. The Women’s Ministries functioned under old guidelines, rules and traditions.  The group had not evaluated their values, or purpose.  I’m sad to say that after several frustrating years, I stepped down from that position not knowing why we were floundering. I led without goals and action steps.

I felt as if I were a huge failure, but at the same time the desire to learn how to become more effective for the Lord was born.  When opportunities to attend women’s leadership seminars presented themselves, I attended whenever possible. I wanted to become a woman like the strong women of leadership in the Bible: Esther, Deborah and Lydia.  I searched for women whose lives demonstrated aspiration to godly goals, and from whom I could learn how to obtain confidence and skills. I needed to learn from these mentors so I could progress in fulfilling the role God had for me.  My goal was not to be a successful leader, but to be a woman of God who made a difference in the lives of other women.

Slowly I was beginning to understand how to align my aspirations and desires with those of Christ.

 “Turn my heart to Your decrees and not to material gain. Turn my eyes from looking at what is worthless; give me life in Your ways.”  Psalm 119:36-37 (HCSB) 

---