Apples of Gold

I occasionally get to travel with a group of ladies in ministry. Although we are all either ministers or married to a minister, a broad spectrum of skills and interests are represented in our ranks. 

There are a lot of shoppers in that group. I am not one of them. I shop like I’m on a classified mission, head directly to the targeted item, quickly examine it and beeline for the register. Some of the ladies shop as if they are there to scrutinize and inspect every item, in every section and give a detailed report of their findings at the end of the day!

It doesn’t take a federally funded study for us to recognize that men and women are different, but at times we could use a reminder that within our genders resides a broad array of personalities, skills and proclivities. 

In honor of Mother’s Day, I want to look briefly at the lives of three very important ladies in Scripture. Each of them were married, so men please don’t check out! The very different roles of these women certainly were accompanied by very different roles for their husbands as well. 

We find the story of Isaac and Rebekah in Genesis, chapters 24-27. Rebekah, probably between the age of 12-14, finds herself chosen by God to marry Isaac. Despite her youth she is a hard-working, thoughtful, and determined woman. Without hesitancy she leaves everything and everyone she knew,(with the exception of her childhood nurse), to go to a place she had never been, with a man she had met the night before, to marry a guy she probably didn’t even know existed until the night before. 

In less than 24 hours Rebekah’s life was completely changed. She embraced the will of God and her new role as wife, and eventually, mother. 

In what appears to be an almost complete role reversal we turn next to the book of Judges.. Just 2 small chapters tell us everything we know about the next couple, Deborah and Lappidoth. The only thing we are told about Lappidoth is that he is married to Deborah. 

Deborah’s life had little resemblance to Rebekah’s. Deborah spent most of her time in circles that were dominated by men. She was a prophet, a judge, a military strategist and even a songwriter. She held the highest position in the nation of Israel! She was highly respected by the men around her, even to the point of refusing to go to war without her presence. The fragile, emotional nature often credited to women does not seem to be found in Deborah. 

A personal connection with God is evidenced by her role as a prophet. Her wisdom is displayed as she serves as a judge. Her logic is seen in her military strategy, and even her artistic side as she co-writes the Song of Deborah. (Judges 5)

Another unique relationship is found in the team of Priscilla and Aquila. They were partners in ministry, sharing the same calling, goals and focus. Their names always appear together, like the quintessential power ministry couple. They worked together, (Acts 18:3). Traveled together as bi-vocational ministers with Paul, (Acts 18:18). They took risks for Christ together, risking their lives for Paul and earning his thanks. (Romans 16:3-4)

Three different couples, three very different roles and lifestyles. Their marriages were different, their ministries were different, their approaches were different but they were all greatly used of God. 

Comparison seems to be an affliction of our culture. From the time our children enter grade school, conformity and uniformity is an unrealistic and potentially devastating expectation. The child who learns just a little differently, or needs more time expending an unusual amount of energy, often finds themselves feeling less than their fellow classmates. 

Unfortunately, this doesn’t end with high school graduation. Although more allowances are made for differences, many adults find themselves feeling like they just don’t fit in with the crowd. We often fail to recognize that this is actually not only a good thing, but a God-given thing.

For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. Ephesians 2:10

In November of 2017, Salvator Mundi, a work by Leonardo da Vinci, sold for $450.3 million! Why so much? This original painting was a masterpiece, created by the hand of a master painter. If you decide you would like this work to hang in your home, believe it or not it is within your reach. You can purchase a reprint on Amazon for $12.59! There are plenty of reprints available, but only one original.  

Each of us have been meticulously and thoughtfully designed by the hand of the Creator. Whether you feel like it or not, you my friend are a masterpiece! With all your quirks, and even those features that you wince at, you are an original, valuable, deliberately calculated paragon depicting the touch of God. 

You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous-how well I know it. You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered! I can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! Psalm 139:13-18

Friends, please do not waste your time trying to become a reprint when God designed you to be a masterpiece!

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