wisdom from women in the bible: giants of the faith speak into our lives (giants of the bible)

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Tomywonderfulmother,LauraMaxwell(February3,1921–July15,2009):

Yourunconditionallovemademesecure,Yourheartfeltprayershelpedkeepmesafe,Yourwiseteachingusheredinmyfaith,Yourpatientlisteningmademefeelunderstood,Yoursteadyexampleinspiredmetobecomemore,Your

lived-outfaithinspiredthisbook.

Imissyoueverydayandlookforwardtobeingwithyouagaininheaven.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I’dliketosaythankyouto:CharlieWetzel,mywriter;Audrey Moralez, who contributed ideas and gave her perspective as a

woman;StephanieWetzel,whoreviewedandeditedthemanuscript;andLindaEggers,myexecutiveassistant.

PREFACE

In 2010 I got the opportunity to speak at JoyceMeyer’s Love LifeWomen’sConference. Joyce and I are good friends, and I’ve often appeared on hertelevisionshow.OnthisdayIchosetotalkabouthowtoliveafulfillinglife,andabouttheimportanceofattitude.WhenIgotuptospeak,ItoldtheaudiencethatfortenyearsIhadspokentomenatPromiseKeepersevents,butthatIwasgladthatGodhadfinallygivenmeagreateraudiencetospeakto.Thewholeplacewentnuts,andwehadawonderfultimethatday.

WhenIfinishedspeaking,Icouldn’thelpthinkingaboutmymother,Laura,whomI’d lost theyearbefore.Nopersonhashadagreater impactonmylife.MomtaughtmetrueloveandmodeledGodtomeeveryday.Itdidn’tmatterifIwas dealing with a scraped knee, a bruised ego, or a broken heart: she wasalways there to give a hug, share a tear, andprovide a listening ear. I learnedlove and respect from her. I cannot put into words what I gained from herwisdomandherunconditionallove.EverydayImissher.ButItakecomfortinknowingthatshelivedafulllifeforeighty-eightyears,andthatsheisnowwiththeoneshelovesmost:Jesus.

My appreciation forMomgotme thinking about all the influentialwomenwhohaveshapedwhoIam,taughtmespirituallessons,modeledleadership,andmademy lifemeaningful. It all startedwithGrandmaMinton,who intercededformewhenIwasaveryyoungchild.Icantellyou,Iwasaveryornerychild,so I really needed people to talk to God on my behalf. I believe she almostsingle-handedlyprayedmeintotheKingdom.

And then there was Miss Tacey, my fourth-grade teacher. I deserved apermanent spot in the cloakroom for theway I acted in class, but instead shegavemeapermanentspotinherheart.Sheusedtowritemeencouragingnotes.Eventodayshestillwritestome.WhenIpublishanewbook,shewritesmeanotetotellmehowmuchshelikesit.Recentlyshewroteonethatsaid,“Ihadnoideayouwouldturnoutthisway.”NeitherdidI.

My sister-in-law Anita has also been a great influence. She, my brother

Larry, my wife, Margaret, and I have traveled the world together. Anita hasalwaysbeensunshinetomysoul.Herbeautifulspiritshinesoneverypersonshemeetsandlightsupeverysituationsheencounters.

IspentalotoftimewithmyyoungersisterTrish.ShewascalledPattybackwhen we were kids. She loved to tag along with my brother Larry and me.Believe it or not, when I needed to buy my first car after I graduated fromcollege, shewas theonewho lentme themoney for thedownpayment.Trishand her husband, Steve, have two beautiful daughters. When Rachael wasyoung, I calledherAngelbecauseof the angelic expression she alwayshad. IcalledJenniferSweetPea,whichsheloved.

Of course there isMargaret, the love ofmy life. I fell in lovewith her atcampwhenIwasinjuniorhighschool.ThemomentIfirstsawherIknewshewas the one forme. Including our dating years,we’ve been together for overfifty years!Her love forGod and family has been a great blessing to us.Heryearsoffaithfulministryhavebeenablessingtomany.

Ourwholeworldchangedwhenourdaughter,Elizabeth,arrivedinourlives.IcallherAppleofMyEye.Daughtersalwayshaveaspecialplaceinafather’sheart.Elizabethhasoneinmine.Andwhenourson,Joel,gotmarried,Lis,ourdaughter-in-law,becameabeautifulpartofour family.Lishasbeenadelight,andshe’smadeoursonabetterperson.

Elizabeth andLis have also done themostwonderful thing a humanbeingcandoforanotherperson:they’vegivenusgrandchildren.Ofcoursewehaveaspecialloveforourgrandsons,JohnandJames.ButMadeline,Hannah,andEllaarethethreesmartest,mosttalented,andmostbeautifulgirlsontheplanet.Allfiveofthesechildrenbringlightintoourlives.

Margaret and I just tookMaddie andHannah on a trip to Pennsylvania tocelebratetheirthirteenthbirthdays.WefilledthemupwithhistoryatGettysburgand inPhiladelphiauntil theycouldn’t takeanymore.Wehad to take themtoHershey for the rides and the water park so that they could enjoy being kidsagain.

Ihavealsobeen influencedgreatlyby thewomenwhosestoriesare told intheBible.FromthetimeIwasachild,Momtalkedtomeaboutthesegiantsofthe faith, people such asRuth andHannah,Abigail andMary.The traits theymodeledand the leadership theyexhibitedhaveprovided invaluable lessons tome.

And that got me to thinking. What if I could write anotherGiants bookfocused entirely on thewomenwhose stories have been so valuable tome? I

imaginedwhatitwouldbeliketovisitheavenforaday,seemymomagain,andbeintroducedtotheseamazingwomenofthefaith.

If you’ve readRunning with the Giants orLearning from the Giants, youhave an idea aboutwhat’s coming.Wewill imaginewhat itwould be like tospend timewith nine giants of the faith.We’llwalkwith them, listen as theysharewisdomfromtheirlives,andtakeawaylessonsthatcanhelpuseveryday.In addition, I’ve asked nine important women in my life to share theirperspectivesinsectionscalled“WomantoWoman.”You’llhearfrommywife,Margaret, my sister, Trish, Trish’s adult daughters, Rachael and Jennifer, mybrother Larry’s wife, Anita, my daughter, Elizabeth,my daughter-in-law, Lis,andmy twooldergranddaughters,MaddieandHannah,whoare thirteen.Youdon’thavetobeawomantobenefitfromthelessonsthesewomenhavetoteachus.Thetruthstheyteachareuniversal.

So come along and joinme as we take a journey and gain wisdomwhilewalkingwiththesegiantsofthefaith.

RUTH

FollowYourHearttoFindYourHope

Igotupbeforedawnthismorning.That’snotuncommon.DecadesagoImadeacommitmenttogetupanytimeIfeltthatGodwaswakingme,evenifitwasinthemiddleofthenight.Iknowit’sGodifIwakeupwithacompellingideaorwithanurgentsensethatIneedtoprayaboutsomething.WhenthathappensIusuallyjustslipoutofmybedroomquietlytokeepfromwakingMargaret.

That’swhatIdidthismorning.It’sfiveo’clockandit’sstilldarkoutside.I’mnow in my study, sitting in my favorite thinking chair. The pull of God wasespeciallystrongthismorning,andIhaveaprofoundsenseofanticipation,butI’mnot surewhatGod is up to orwhatHehas in store forme. I askGod tospeaktomeandtodirectmeinprayer.Iclosemyeyes,andIwait.

AVisionItrynottogetdistractedbythinkingaboutmyheavytravelscheduleortheworkthat sitswaiting formeonmydesk. Iwant to quietmymind andbe open towhateverGodhas tosay.Forsomereasonmymindkeepsshifting towardmymother.That’sbittersweet.AnytimeIthinkaboutmymomIsmile,becauseherlove for me was unconditional. But it also makes me sad to think about herbecauseshediedin2009.Istillmissher.

Suddenlymyheadstartstoswim.Iwanttoopenmyeyes,butIcan’t.Thereare flashes of light like I’m seeing stars.Andmy ears start ringing. The nextminuteIhavethatfeelingoffallingyougetsometimeswhenyou’renoddingoff,andmybodyjerks.AmIfallingasleep?Iwonder.

WhenIopenmyeyes, I’mstanding inabeautifulmeadowfilledwithpinkflowersonasunnyday.Icansmellthegrassandthepleasantlysweetscentoftheflowers.Itakeadeepbreath.Theairisfreshandwarmanddry.

I start to look around to take everything in, and that’s when I notice youstandingrightbesideme.YoulookassurprisedasIfeel.It’sreassuringtoknowthatI’mnotaloneinthisexperience.

ThemomentIamabouttoaskyouhowyougothere,Ihearavoicecalling.“John.”Thesoundalmostmakesmykneesbuckle,becausethevoicecanbelongto

onlyoneperson:mymom.I turn around and there she is, standing before me. I start to weep

uncontrollably.Igrabherinmyarms,andthenIburymyfaceinhershoulderasIdidwhenIwasachild.

WhenIpullmyfaceup,sheissmilingatme.Sheisascalmandsteadyandacceptingasever.Herfaceisyouthful,andshedoesn’tseemtohaveacareintheworld.

“Oh,John,it’ssogoodtoseeyou.I’vemissedbeingwithyou,”shesays.“Iseeyou’vebroughtsomeonewithyou.Good.Youalwaysdidhaveafriendwithyou.”

“Mom,”Iask.“Arewe—areweinheaven?”“Ofcourse,dear,”sheanswers.IgaspwhenI’mhitwithanoverwhelmingthought,andIstarttocryagain.

“ArewegoingtogettoseeJesus?”“No,John,I’msorry,butwecan’tdothatnow.Thatwillhavetowaituntil

yourowntimecomes.Butwhenitdoes,trustme.Youwon’tbedisappointed.”Momsmiles.“Comealongwithme,”shesaysasshewalksacrossthemeadow.

“Todaywehaveadifferentpurpose,”Momsays.“Youandyourfriendaregoingtoget tomeetninewomen—amazingwomen—eachagiantof thefaith.When youwere a child, I taught you about each of them.But today youwillmeettheminperson.Andyouwillhaveanopportunitytolearnfromthemaboutlife and leadership.Theirwisdomcanhelpyougreatly if youapply it toyourlife.”

Wehaven’twalked farwhen I seeawoman ina robe that’s thesamepinkcoloras the flowers in themeadow.Aroundherwaist isabroadsash thathasbeenembroideredwithapattern ingold thread. It remindsmeof the stalksofwheatIsawinfieldswhenIwasaboygrowingupinOhio.

“Hereisthefirstone,”Momsays.Amischievoussmilebreaksoverherface.“Iwon’ttellyouwhosheis.I’ll letyoufigurethatoutonyourown.Listentowhat she has to say. Shewill guide you.Andyou’ll seeme again before youleave.”Withthat,Momturnsandwalksaway.

“IgreetyouinthenameoftheLivingGod,”thewomaninpinksays.“Ihavebeenaskedtotellyoumystory.Walkwithme.”Shewalksslowlythroughthemeadow.YouandImovealongsideher.

“When I marriedMahlon,” she begins, “I thought I was themost favoredwomanintheworld.”

ThewifeofMahlon—thisisRuth!“My father arranged the marriage, of course, and I didn’t even mind that

Mahlonwas not aMoabite likeme,” Ruth explains. “I also accepted that hiswidowedmotherwouldbelivinginthesamehousewithus.Mahlonwasagoodman.Hewaskind,hardworking—andhandsome.Ihopedforagoodmarriage.WhatIdidnotexpectwastolovethisnewfamilysodeeply.AsIgottoknowthem,Icametoloveeverythingaboutthem:theirtraditionsandcustoms,andtheGodtheyworshippedwholeheartedly.Theyweremytruefamily,moresoeventhanmyownmotherandfather,towhomIwasborn.

“Wehadbeenmarriedonlyashorttime,soshortthatGodhadnotyetgivenuschildren,whentheunthinkablehappened.IlostmydearMahlon.Andbeforemy mother-in-law, Naomi, and I were even finished mourning, Mahlon’sbrother,Kilion,alsodied.Iunderstandthatnooneescapespainordeathinlife,butthisguttedme.JustwhenI’dfoundmyrightplace,itwastakenawayfromme.Wewerealone in theworld,withnoway to live. In thosedaysawomancouldn’townpropertyordirectherownaffairs.Shehadtodependonahusband,

brother,orfather.“Naomi insisted that Kilion’s wife, Orpah, and I go back to our fathers’

houses.Wehadbeenhonorablewomen,soweknewtheywould takeusback.Orpahleft.ButI—IfeltlikeIhadahugedecisiontomake.IfeltlikeNaomiwasmyfamily.WhatwasIgoingtodo?

“WhatIdecidedthatdaytaughtmeoneoflife’smostimportanttruths,andnow Iwant to teach it to you.”She stopswalking, turns to face us, and says,“Followyourhearttofindyourhope.”

FollowingHerHeartRuth pauses for a moment, watching us to see if we are listening carefully,taking in what she is trying to help us understand. Then she begins to walkagain,withusatherside.Andshestartstoexplainwhatshemeans:

“MyHeartforNaomiOutweighedEverythingElse”“MydecisionwastostaywithNaomi.ImmediatelyweleftMoabforJudah,herhomeland.WhenwearrivedinthetownofBethlehem,wehadnohope.IcouldtellNaomihadgivenup.ShethoughtGodhadabandonedher.Iknewthatshehadcomebackhometodie.Sobeit.Ifshewasgoingtodie,Iwoulddiewithher. I would be buried alongside her, among her people, who were now mypeople.Ididn’tcarewhathappenedtome.Myheartfelt thingsmyeyescouldnot see, and it knewwhatmymindcouldnotunderstand.Naomihadbeen sogoodtome,howcouldInotbegoodtoher?”

“MyHeartforNaomiLedMetoBoaz”“Whenwegot toNaomi’soldhomeland, IknewIneeded todosomethingsothatwewouldnotstarve.GodinHisloving-kindnesstoldHispeopletoalwaysleave the edges of the fields unharvested for people likeNaomi andme. So Iwenttogathergrainduringtheharvest.

“IbelieveitwasnoaccidentthatIendedupinthefieldsofBoaz.WhenyoumakeaGod-honoringdecisionwiththeheart,GodguidesyouwithHishand.Ididn’tknowit,butGodhadmadeawayforme.Boazhadalreadyheardaboutme,andheprotectedmelikeIwasamemberofhishousehold.HefedmeandheevengavemeextragraintotakebacktoNaomi.”

“MyHeartforNaomiLedUstoHope”“WhenNaomifoundoutIhadspentthedayinthefieldsofBoaz,herrelative,sherealizedGodwasprovidingforus.Itrekindledherhopeandshecamealiveagain.TheoldNaomiwasback.SheknewBoazwasagoodman,soshetoldmewhat todosothathewouldbecomeourkinsmanredeemer—andmyhusband.Where once all had looked dark and hopeless, we now possessed a brightfuture.”

LifeLessonsfromRuthAswewalksilentlyforawhile,IthinkaboutwhatRuthhastoldus.Itmusthavetakenalotofcourageforhertoleaveherhomeandeveryonesheknewtotraveltoanalienland.Inthatway,shewaslikeAbraham.Shewouldhavebeenseenandtreatedlikeanalien—aforeigner.Despitethis,shefollowedherheart.

WhenRuthspeaksagain,it’sasifshehasanticipatedmythinking.Shesays,

“UnderstandthatinGod’sEyesThereAreNoOutsiders”“When we left for Judah, I knew I would be an outsider to the Children ofIsrael,”saysRuth.“ButIwasn’taforeignertoGod.HeacceptedmeasapartofHisfamily.AndHemadeitofficialwhenBoazmarriedme.

“Maybeyou’vefeltlikeanoutsiderattimes.Somepeoplefeelthatwaytheirwhole lives, like theydon’t fit anywhere, likenobodyunderstands them.EvenJesuswas treatedasanoutsider.ThepeopleHecame tosavedidn’t recognizeHim orwantHim.1 But you don’t have to be on the outside looking in.GodinvitesyoutobeapartofHisfamily.AllyouhavetodoissayyestoHim,andyou’llbeHisadoptedchild.Helovesyouandwantsyou.”

“WhenYou’reinDistress,LetLoveMotivateYoutoChange”“Myworldfellapartwhenmyhusband,Mahlon,died.Ihadfoundmyplaceintheworld,andthenitwastakenawayfromme.WhatwasItodo?

“Whatdrivesyouwhenyoursituationisdire?Isitfear?Worry?Frustration?Resentment? Bitterness? None of those emotions will take you in the rightdirection. Instead look for love. Love will carry you forward. Follow yourheart.”

“HoldontoFaithfulnessBecauseItIstheFatherofManyBlessings”“ItrustGodforWhoHeis,notforwhatHedoes.ButGodrewardsfaithfulness.IwasfaithfultoNaomi,andGodblessedmebydirectingmetoBoaz.Boazwasfaithful toGod andHisLaw.WhenBoaz realized thatwewere relatives, andthatsomeoneinourclanneededtohelpus,hewenttotheeldersofthetownandcontactedournearestrelativetoseeifhewouldhelpus.Whenthatmancouldn’tfulfillhisduty,Boaztookactiontoredeemourpropertyandcareforus.HewasfaithfultoGod,andasaresult,Godblessedbothusandhim.

“GodalwaysmakesawayforthosewholoveHim.TheguidelinesHegavefor the harvest blessed us with food.2 The guidelines He gave for treatingwidowsblesseduswithanewfamilyandmewithahusband.3Andofcourse,that led tomy greatest joy of all, giving birth tomy sonObed.He became ablessingashefatheredJesse,whofatheredDavid,Israel’sgreatkingandamanafterGod’sownheart.

“Whenyouarefaithful toGod,Hewillblessyou.YoumaynotknowhowHewill do it orwhenHewill do it, but you can always be sure that God isfaithful.”

ThePrayerofRuthRuthstopsandsays,“BeforeIleaveyou,Iwanttoprayforyou.Wouldthatbeallright?”Webothnodyes.

“GodMyRedeemer,“Youarefaithfulandgood.Youloveusandwantthebestforus.FirstI

praythatmyfriendswouldknowtheirownhearts.Whentheyareindoubtordistress,helpthemtobesensitivetoYou.SpeaktothemthroughYourSpirit,andhelpthemtohavethecouragetofollowwhereYoulead.AndIpraythatYouwouldalwaysrewardthemwithhope.Amen.”

Whenweopenoureyes,weseethatRuthissmilingatus.“Myfriends,”shesays,“mytimewithyouhascometoanend.Butyournextmentoriswaitingforyouahead,outsidethegatesofthecity.Keepwalkingalongthispath,andyouwillfindher.”WiththatRuthturnsandwalksbackthewaywecame.

LeadershipLessonsfromRuthWe hesitate a moment.Which do we want more? To stop Ruth and ask herquestions?Or tomove forward andmeet the next person?We sense our timehereislimitedanddecidetokeepwalking.Aswedo,IreflectonwhatRuthsaidandonherstoryintheBible.Witheachstep,leadershiplessonsbecomecleartomefromRuth’slife:

1.DoWhatYouKnowIsRight,NotWhatLooksRighttoOthersThelogicalthingforRuthtodowhenherhusbanddiedwastogohometoherown family and look for a new husband. Naomi suggested she do that. AndRuth’ssister-in-lawOrpahfollowedthatadvice.

Ruth couldhave allowedher questions anddoubt to influenceher to leaveNaomi.Butinsteadherheartcametogripswithwhatshebelieved.Shemovedfromtheagonyofquestionsshecouldnotanswertotherealityofanswersshecouldnot escape.She felt adeepconviction that shewas to staywithNaomi.Andshefollowedthatconviction.

As leaders we need to remember that. Strong convictions precede greatactions.Whenweknowsomethingisright—andthatconvictionisbolsteredbythe knowledge that ourmotives are pure, as Ruth’swere—we need to followthrough.Othersmay second-guess our thinking and our decision-making. Butwhenweknowwhat’sright,wecan’tletthosethingsthrowusoff.Weneedtostand by our convictions.AsAlbertMohler, president of theSouthernBaptistTheologicalSeminary, said, “Convictionsarenotmerelybeliefswehold; theyarethosebeliefsthatholdusintheirgrip.”

2. Following Your Heart with Integrity Can Increase Your Influence withOthersBecause Ruth followed her heart and went with Naomi to Bethlehem, herinfluenceonothersincreased.Insteadoflookingdownonherasaforeigner,theHebrewsnoticedherandadmiredher.Shegained the favorofBoaz,who toldher,“I’veheardallaboutyou—heardaboutthewayyoutreatedyourmother-in-lawafterthedeathofherhusband,andhowyouleftyourfatherandmotherandthe landofyourbirthandhavecometo liveamongabunchof totalstrangers.GODrewardyouwellforwhatyou’vedone—andwithagenerousbonusbesidesfromGOD,towhomyou’vecomeseekingprotectionunderhiswings.”4

WhenRuthfollowedherheartandmadeherdecision,shestoodoutfromthebeigelivesofothers.Sheimpressedthepeopleofanentiretown,includingtheelders,whoblessedher,declaring,

MayGODmake thiswomanwho is coming into your household likeRachelandLeah,thetwowomenwhobuiltthefamilyofIsrael.MayGOD

make you a pillar in Ephrathah and famous in Bethlehem! With thechildrenGOD givesyou from thisyoungwoman,mayyour family rivalthefamilyofPerez,thesonTamarboretoJudah.5

Byfollowingherheartanddoingwhatsheknewwasright,Ruthwentfrombeingaforeignertobeingsomeonewhowasrespected,blessed,andhonored.

Whenyoufollowyourheartanddotherightthing,yourleadershippotentialincreases.Leadershipisinfluence,soanythingthatincreasesyourinfluenceandfavorwithothersmakesiteasierforyoutolead.

3.RemembertoBeHumbleandKeepWorkingasGodBlessesYouWhenBoazrecognizedRuthandstartedtoblessher,itmighthavebeennaturalforhertoslackoff.Afterall,shewasreceivingthefavorofarelativewhohadthe power to redeemher and the property that had once belonged toNaomi’shusband.ButRuthremainedfaithfulandkeptworkinghard.Scripturesayssheworked hard beforeBoaz invited her to eatwith him.Afterward she got rightbacktoworkandgleanedinthefielduntilevening.Andthenshethreshedwhatshehadgatheredbeforegoinghome.Thisisthepatternshefolloweduntilboththebarleyandwheatharvestsweredone.

WhenGodgrantsyoufavorasaleaderandyoureceiveHisblessings,don’tletitgotoyourheadanddon’tletup.Keepworking.Whenyouhavefavorandmomentum,push ahead.Naomiunderstood this.When she andRuthbegan toreceiveBoaz’sfavor,theydidn’tjustsitbackandenjoytheprovisionshemadesure they received.Naomi capitalizedon them.She toldRuth to lie atBoaz’sfeet,asasignofherdesiretoseekhisprotection.Andhegraciouslygaveit.Heimmediatelybecametheiradvocate.

GodwantsHispeopletoberecognizedbyothersbecauseoftheirlove.Ithinkwe too often forget that.Ruth’swords ofwisdom are a good reminder. Ifweloveothers and followourheart in thewaywe treat everyone, it’s hard togowrong.

WomantoWoman

WheneverIhearthestoryofRuth,I’malwaysstruckbyhowshereactedtothelossofherhusbandandbrother-in-law.SheandNaomisuddenlyfoundthemselvesaloneintheworld,atthe endof their rope,withnoway to change their circumstances. In their culture,without aman,theyhadalmostnooptions.Ifanyonecouldhavefeltlikeavictim,Ruthcould.Andshecouldhaveeasilygivenintohergriefandlosthope.

But Ruth didn’t surrender to despair and hopelessness. Instead, after she and NaomiarrivedinBethlehem,sheimmediatelywenttoworklookingforwaystoprovideforthetwoofthem.Thesolutionshefoundinvolvedhardmanuallabor,butshedidn’tletthatstopher.Sheworkedallday,everyday,pickingup thescraps leftoverafter theharvestershaddone theirwork.Shechosetodosomething,evenwhenshedidn’tseewhereGodwasleading.

ThelessonIlearnfromRuthasawomanisthatIdon’teverneedtoseemyselfasavictimofcircumstances.EspeciallyinamodernworldwithmanymoreoptionsthanRuthhad,Icaninstead choose tohavehope and look for away toovercomechallenges. I don’t have tobedefinedbywhathashappened tome.Rather Ican followGod’s leadand takeaction,and itwillopenthewaytochangingmycircumstancesandfindingfulfillmentandjoyaccordingtoGod’splan.

—MargaretMaxwell

QuestionsforReflectionorDiscussionTolearnmoreaboutRuth,readRuth1:1–4:22andMatthew1:5–6.

1.WhomdoyourelatetomostinthestoryofRuth:Naomi,Ruth,orBoaz?Explain.

2.WhatwouldyouhavedoneintheplaceofNaomi’sdaughters-in-law?WouldyouhavegonehomelikeOrpah?OrwouldyouhavefollowedNaomitoBethlehem?Why?

3.WhenRuthmovedtoBethlehemwithNaomi,shewasinaprettydifficultsituationwhereshehadverylittlepowertocontrolherdestiny.Howdoesthatkindofsituationmakeyoufeel?

4.HowmuchdidRuthrelyonGodandhowmuchdidsherelyonherowninitiativeandabilitytoworkhard?

5.HowdoyoutrytobalanceGod-relianceandself-reliancewhenfacingadifficultpersonalchallenge?

6.Whereorhowdoyoufindhopewhenlifefeelshopeless?7.Whereinyourlifewouldyoucurrentlybenefitfromfollowingyourheart

more?

SARAH

Don’tComplicateGod’sPromisewithYourSolution

Wewalktothecrestofahillandbeforeusisthemostmagnificentthingwe’veever seen. It’s a city, but it’s like nothing any living person has ever seen. Itremindsme of the ancient city of Jerusalem, except thewalls are smooth andlooklikethickglass.Thecityisenormous.Risingabovethewallsarethousandsof brightly colored buildings that glint in the light. A kind of glow seems tocomefromtheheartofthecity,eventhoughitappearstobebroaddaylight.

Our pathwayhas become a paved street, andwe see that it leads toward acircular opening in the citywall that has a large open gate.We keepwalkingtoward it. While we are still some distance from the wall, both sides of ourpavedstreetbecomelinedwithlowdecorativewalls.Theyseemtobemadeofthesamekindofmaterialasthecity’swalls.Itlookslikethickpiecesofglass.

While we are still several hundred yards away from the gate, we notice awoman sitting on thewall. She is dressed in a longgarment of yellowwith aheadcoveringof thesamefabric.It’snotuntilwegetclosetoher thatwecanseeherhairisgrayandherfaceisgentlywrinkled.Shesmilesatus,andwe’restruck by her beauty. She stands, andwe see that she still has the figure of awomaninherprime.

“Ah,you’vearrived,”thewomansays.“Sitwithmesowecantalk.”Shesitsandwejoinher.Thetopofthelowwallisperfectlysmoothandveryhard.

“WhenIwasagirl,IbelievedIwasgoingtohavethemostwonderfullife.Imarried aman from a good family—frommy own clan, in fact.” She smiles.“Ourfuturelookedbright,andIplannedtoraisealargefamilywithhim.

“Butayearpassedand thenanother,andstill Ihadnochildren.WitheachbirthdayIgrewmoreanxious.Twenty-five.Thirty.Thirty-five.Forty.Thetime

wasslippingaway.Iwaswatchingmyselfbecomeanoldwoman.Forty-five.Itwasstillpossible.Ihadknownwomentohavechildrenintheirforties.ThenIturned fifty. Fifty-five. And I knew: my time to have children had passed. Imournedforfiveyears.Andthenatagesixty,Iletitgo.WhatcouldIdo?Oldwomendon’tbearchildren.”

CouldthisbeSarah,wewonder?

God’sPromise“WhenIwassixty-five,Godspoketomyhusband,Abraham.”

ItisSarah.Shewastherewhenitallbegan,whenGodmadeacovenantwithameremanandpromisedtoblesstheworldthroughhim.Sarahcontinues,“GodpromisedthatAbrahamwouldbecomethefatherofagreatnation.Doyouknowwhatthatmeant?”sheasks.Adozenthoughtsrunthroughmymind.Whichonemight shemean? “Itmeant Iwould finally be blessedwith children—enoughchildren to start a nation. I would finally be blessed by God. I could hardlybelieve it. At a time when other women have grandchildren or great-grandchildren,Iwouldfinallybecomeamother.

“WhenAbrahamtoldmeGod’spromisemeantgreatchanges forus, I saidyes:

“IsaidyeswhenAbrahamaskedmetoleavemyhome.“IsaidyeswhenAbrahamaskedmetoaccompanyhimonathousand-

milejourneytoanunknownland.“I said yes when Abraham asked me to live like a nomad in the

wilderness.“IevensaidyeswhenAbrahamaskedmetotellothersIwashissister.

“Imeteachdaywithexpectation.WouldthisbethedayGodwouldplaceachildinmywomb?

“Butthedaysturnedintomonths,andthemonthsyears.Iwaitedtenyears,andstillGoddidnotfulfillHispromise.AndIcouldn’tseehowHewoulddoit.So I decided I needed to do something. I told Abraham to have a child withHagar,theservantIhadacquiredwhenwewereinEgypt.”

Sarahstandsupandfacesus.Westarttogetuptoo,butshewavesherhand,indicating thatwe should stay seated. “Have you ever felt like you needed tohelpGod?Soyou tookmatters intoyourownhands?”She laughs.“WhydoIevenask?Ofcourseyouhave.Doyouknowanyonewhohasn’t?Butreallyweshouldknowbetter.Iknowbetternow,andIcanconfidentlytellyouthis:Don’tcomplicateGod’spromisewithyoursolution.”

TheConsequencesofSarah’sSolution“IthoughtIwashelpingGod.AllIwasdoingwasmakinglifeworseformyself.The moment Hagar became pregnant, she despised me. She had something Ididn’t,andshefeltshehadtheupperhand.WhenIshmaelwasborn,itdidn’tgetanybetter.EverydayIhadtolookathimandwatchthewayAbrahamtreatedhim.Itplantedaseedofbitternessinmyheart.

“IblamedHagarforthemockeryofhersonIshmael.“IblamedAbrahamforthemiserycausedmebyHagar.“IblamedGodfornotgivingmeababy.

“ButtherealityisthatIbroughtthistroubleuponmyself.Godpromisedmewhat:HesaidIwouldhaveason.Hedidnotpromisemewhen.”

LifeLessonsfromSarahSarah smiles as she thinks for a moment. Then she sits again where she canmakeeyecontactwithbothofus,andshebeginstospeak:

“Don’t Try to Get Ahead of GodWhen He Isn’t Moving Fast Enough forYou”“WealwayshaveanopinionabouthowGodshoulddothings.Usuallywewantwhatwewant now.And our reasons seem so good to us.But nomatter howstrong, clever, resourceful, or strategic we are, we cannot outthink God, norshouldwetrytogetaheadofHim.

“AsIlookedintomypast,IcouldseeGod’shandineverystepofAbraham’sandmyfaith journey.Butback then,whenI looked toward the future, Icouldnot.Ifeltuncertainthen,butnowIknow:thosewhocanseeGod’shandintheirlivescanputtheirlivesinGod’shands.

“Godseestheentireuniverse.Hewantsthebestforeveryoneateverytimeinhumanhistory.AndHeisweavingtogetherthethreadsofeveryone’slives.HowcanwepossiblythinkweknowbetterthanHedoes?”

“OurSurrogateSolutionsAreAlwaysPoorSubstitutesforGod’sPromises”“Whenwetrytocreateourownsolutions,ouractionsalwaysproducenegativeconsequences.WhenIsuggestedthatAbrahamuseHagarasasurrogateforme,I turned a faithful servant into an enemy.My marriage became strained.Myrelationship with God was affected. And I caused a feud between thedescendantsof Isaac, the son I eventuallyhad, and Ishmael, the sonofHagar.Thatconflictcontinueseventothisday.

“ThereisprobablysomethingyouwantrightnowthatGodhassaidHewillgive you. And you may be trying to figure out how to get it in your timinginsteadofGod’s.Don’tdo it.Evenyourbestwillnevercompare towhatGodhasplanned foryou.God reveals things tousonaneed-to-knowbasis.Whenyoudon’tneedtoknow,GoddoesnotrevealHiswill.Inthosetimeswemustwait.”

“WhenYouMustWait,FocusonGod’sCharacter,NotYourCircumstances”“WhenGodissilentandwearerequiredtowait,weoftenturnourattentiontothe wrong things. We focus on our circumstances and see nothing but theobstacles. That’s what happened to me. As time went by and my situationseemedmoredireinmyowneyes,Ibegantofeelincreasinglyvulnerable.

“We need to remember that our circumstances—no matter howinsurmountabletheobstaclesmayseem—arenothingtoGod.Hispromisesaretrue nomatterwhat.KnowingGod’swill is not enough.DoingGod’swill isessential.Thatrequirestotaltrust.”

“God’sMiraclesHappenOnlyWhenYou’reFacedwiththeImpossible”“Onlywhenwe’re in the placewherewe need the impossible isGod able toperformamiracle.GodlovestofulfillHispromisesundersuchcircumstances.God gaveme the sonHe’d promised, Isaac, andHe did itwhen Iwas ninetyyears old! Never forget that nothing is impossible for God, and miracles areeverydayoccurrencestoHim.

“Soifyou’reinatoughspot,you’reuncomfortable,andtheimpossibleistheonlythingthatcanhelpyou,thenyouareacandidateforamiracle.AndifGodhasmadeyouapromise,youcanbesureHewillfulfillit.”

ThePrayerofSarahSarahsmilesoncemore.Sheseemstosuppressabitofachuckle.Scripturesaysthat when God told her she would have a son in her old age, she laughed. Iimagineitwaswithbitterness.Nowsheseemstosmileandlaughwithjoy.Sheofferstoprayforus.

“SovereignLord,“I pray that in the future when a day comes that these people feel

desperateandtheircircumstanceslookimpossibletothem,theywillrelyonYoucompletely,andYouwillblessthemforit.Insuchtimes,helpthemtorememberYourpromises,towaitwithpatientexpectation,andtoholdoutforYourmiracle.Amen.”

WhenSarah finishespraying, she smiles at us once again. “Goon into thecity,”shesays.“Thenextpersonwillbewaitingforyoujustinsidethewalls.”Wewalkforward,thinkingaboutwhatshesaid.Welookbackonceandseethatsheiswatchingus,andstillsheissmiling.

LeadershipLessonsfromSarahSarahmaynothaveinfluencedlargenumbersofpeopleduringherlifetime,butthe influence shehad shaped theworld.Andwecan learnvaluable leadershiplessonsfromher:

1. Let Your Leadership Decisions Be Guided by Faith, Not Driven byFrustrationorFearSomeoneoncesaidthatfaithiswhatyouhavewhenyoudon’thaveallthefactsbutyouhaveGod.Sarahwasmarriedtoastrongmanoffaith,yetshefedherdoubts and frustrations. Certainly she had plenty of valid reasons for feelingfrustrated.Shehadalreadysufferedwithnothavingchildrenduringthenormalchildbearing years. Then after receiving a promise from God that she wouldhave a child, she had towait an additional twenty-five years. I can’t imaginebeing patient through such circumstances. But I also know God wants us tofocusonourfaithinHim.

There have been many times in my life as a leader when I’ve lost mypatienceandwantedtograbholdofasituationtochangewhatwashappening.Perhaps the greatest frustration I ever faced was when I was a senior pastortrying to leadSkylineChurch througha transition toanewlocation.Formorethanadecadewefacedobstacleafterobstacle.ThereweremanytimeswhenmyfrustrationboiledoverandIhadtostop,talktoGodabouthowIfelt,andputmyfocus back on my faith in Him. It’s easy to believe in God’s blessings. It’ssometimeshardertobelieveinHistiming.

Oneofmymother’sfavoriteverses,whichshequotedoften,was1Peter5:7:“Leave all your worries with him, because he cares for you.”6 If you arefrustratedinyourleadership,don’tletitprovokeyouintomakingbaddecisions.Turn to God and allow Him to help you work through your emotions. Andalways remember the words of Charles Spurgeon: “God is too good to beunkind.Heistoowisetobeconfused.IfIcannottraceHishand,IcanalwaystrustHisheart.”

2.NeverUseYourInfluencetoManipulatePeopleforPersonalGainSarah had great influence over two people in her life: her husband,Abraham,andher servantHagar.Whenshecouldno longer stand the frustrationsofherlife, she used that influence over the two of them to lead them into a baddecision.Thatbackfiredoneveryone.

Author and congressman Bruce Barton said, “Sometimes when I considerwhat tremendous consequences come from little things, I am tempted to thinktherearenolittlethings.”Justbecausewehavepowerdoesn’tmeanweshoulduseit—especiallyifwearethinkingofusingitforourownbenefit.It’seasytorationalizesuchdecisions.Buttheyalmostalwaysleadtoregret.

3.Don’tBlameOthersfortheConsequencesofYourBadDecisionsWhenHagarbecamepregnantafterSarahtoldAbrahamtosleepwithher,theirrelationships turned sour. Hagar looked down on Sarah, and Sarah becameabusive. Sarah knew she had made a bad decision, yet she blamed it onAbraham.Shetoldhim,“It’sallyourfaultthatI’msufferingthisabuse.Iputmymaid inbedwithyouand theminute sheknows she’spregnant, she treatsmelikeI’mnothing.MayGODdecidewhichofusisright.”7

Whenweleadothers,weareinapositiontoplacetheblameonothers,andwecaneasilygetawaywithit,becausethepeopleweleadareoftenreluctanttospeakoutagainstus.Butgoodleadersdon’tdothat.Insteadtheytakelessthantheirshareofthecreditandmorethantheirshareoftheblame.

When you make poor decisions, don’t try to cover them up or place theblameonsomeoneelse’sshoulders.Takeresponsibility.Godknowswhenwe’rein the right and when we’re in the wrong. Allow Him to keep accounts andrewardyouaccordingly.

Asapersonwhohasbeen impatienthis entire life, IneededSarah’swordsofadvice.AlltoooftenI’vetriedtohelpGodandofferHimmyownsolutions.Iknowbetter,but I stilldo it.Weshouldalways try to remember thatevenourverybestcannotpossiblycomparetoanythingGodhasinmind.

WomantoWoman

WhenIthinkofSarah,IamremindedthatnothingisimpossibleforGod.ItiseasytosaythatIbelievethatGodisaGodofmiracles,thatnothingistoodifficultforHim,butwhenmycircumstanceslookimpossible,Iamforcedtowrestlewiththistruthinthedeepestcornersofmyheart.

SometimesIdonotunderstandGod’swaysorHistiminginmylife.WhenItryto“makesense”of it all, I simply cannot. It is in thesemoments that I am thankful forSarah’s storybecauseIknowthatshecouldnotmakesenseofGod’splaneither. IknowthisbecauseshetriedtosubstituteherownplanforGod’spromise,andIamoftenguiltyofthissameoffense.

Despite Sarah’s lack of faith, Godwas faithful. He did for Sarah as He had promised.WhenIamtemptedtoclosemyhearttoGodandrelyonmyownresources,IamremindedofHisfaithfulness.HeisfaithfulevenwhenIamfaithless.AndwhenIdaretoopenmyhearttotrustHimevenwhenIcannotseetheoutcome,HegivesmefaithtorestinthepromisethatHeisworkingALLthingstogetherformygoodandHisglory.

—RachaelWatson

QuestionsforReflectionorDiscussionTolearnmoreaboutSarah,readGenesis12:1–23:2.

1.HowwouldyourespondifyourspousetoldyouheorshehadheardfromGodandwasaskingyoutomovetoanunknownland?

2.DoyouthinkitwasfairforSarahtohavetowaitsolongtohaveachild?Explain.

3.WhydoyouthinkGoddelayedtheprocessforsolongandmadebothAbrahamandSarahwait?

4.GodchangedthenameofAbram,whichmeans“exaltedfather,”toAbraham,whichmeans“fatherofmany.”WhydoyouthinkGodchangedSarai’snametoSarah,whenbothnamesmean“princess”?

5.Howdoyouusuallydealwithfrustrationinyourlife?Doyoulashout,retreatandseethe,trytotakecontrol,orgiveup?

6.HowdoyouthinkGodwantsyoutoreact?7.Whatdisappointmentareyoucurrentlydealingwith?Howmightothersbe

abletohelpyoudealwithitinaGod-honoringway?

RAHAB

God’sStoryIsFullofSurprises

Aswewalktowardthegate,westarttogetasenseofhowtallthewallsareandhowhugethecitymustbe.Aswegetcloser,we’reastoundedbywhatwesee.Thematerialthatmakesupthegateiscreamywhiteandshimmers.Itlookslikeit’smadeoutofpearl.Besidethegatestandsasingleguardwhomustbeatleasttwelvefeettall!Aswordissheathedbyhisside.Hewatchesstoicallyaspeoplepassinandoutofthecity.

The people around us seem to be dressed in every kind of clothing fromeverynationanderainhumanhistory.Iseepeopledressedinmodernmilitaryuniforms, animal skins, togas, tribal regalia, European and Japanese armor,robes, breeches, long dresses, short dresses, and suits. Some people wear notmuchclothingatall.It’sasthoughwe’reonthebacklotofamoviestudioandactorsfromahundreddifferentexoticmoviesmingletogether.Butthesepeoplearereal,notcostumedperformers.

Beforewepassunderthearchofthegate,InoticeawordinHebrewwrittenabove the door: . I spent twoyears learningHebrew towrite one ofmybooks,soIcandecipherthemeaning.Itsays“Judah.”

Wewalk through the gate,which leads us into a long tunnel.The street iswideandthewallsbesideus,aswellasthearchedceilingaboveus,areperfectlysmooth—like glass. The tunnel is brightly lit, and when we get about onehundredfeetinside,whichseemstobethehalfwaypoint,Irealizetherearenoartificiallightsorwindows.Thelightisactuallyshiningthroughtheclearcrystalwalls.

The tunnel empties into a tee at the base of anotherwall. The cross streetgentlyslopesupwardtobothleftandright.Thewallwe’refacing,whichtowers

highaboveourheads,appears tobethefoundationfor thenext levelupinthecity.Aswegetclosertoit,Iamremindedoftheundergroundfoundationstonesof theTempleMount I saw in Jerusalem, except that thiswall looks like it ismadeofgiantslabsofsapphire.It’sremarkable!

Standingnear thewall at the intersection isawomandressed fromhead tofoot in bright scarlet. The color seems twice as vibrant against the blue wallbehindher.Aswegetcloser,weseethatthefabricofherrobeincludesapatternwithshadesofred,purple,andblack.Aroundherwaistiswrappedalongscarletcordwithfringedends.

Whenwelookatherface,we’resurprisedtoseemakeup.Hereyelidsarealightpurple,herlipsavividred.Shewearslargegoldhoopearringsandagoldnecklacehangsaroundherneck.Severalgoldringsadornherfingers.Ashockofblondehairpeeksfromunderherheadcovering.

“IseebyyourreactionthatI’mnotwhatyouexpected.You’resurprisedbymyappearance,”saysthewomaninred.“Well,letmetellyousomething:God’sstoryisfullofsurprises.”

ASeriesofSurprises“MynameisRahab.Yes, thatRahab,onceaprostitutebut later themotherofBoazandthegreat-great-grandmotherofKingDavid.Youmaybesurprisedtomeetme,but I can tell you thatnoonewasmore surprised than Iwasby theeventsthatoccurredinJerichoatthehandsoftheLivingGod.

“I was an outcast inmy family, left destitute, with noway to provide formyself.SoIdidwhatIhadtodotosurvive.Isoldmyself tomenwhopassedthroughthecity.Jerichowasagreatcityinthosedays.Wetradedwithpeoplefrom far andnear, so everyonewas prosperous.But then the rumors began tocirculate, andmany of the regularmerchants stopped coming to the city. ThestorywasthatapeoplewhobelongedtoaLivingGodwerecomingfromacrosstheJordanRiver,andtheyintendedtoconquereveryoneintheirpath.

“Thewalls of Jerichowere legendary.”She looks at her surroundings. “Ofcourse,theywerenothingcomparedtothese.Buttheywerestrongfortheirtime.I and everyone else in the city believed no army could conquer those walls.However,whentherumorsstarted,Ibegantohearamazingthingsthatarrestedmyattention.”

“IWasSurprisedWhenIHeardtheStoryofGodPartingtheRedSea”“Itwassaid that thispeoplehad fled themightykingdomofEgyptwhenGodparted the sea, allowing them towalk across dry land to safety, andGod haddrownedPharaoh’smightyarmywhentheytriedtofollow.”

“I Was Surprised When I Heard the Powerful Amorite Kings Had BeenDestroyed”“ThepeopleofJerichowereacquaintedwiththepowerfulkingsSihonandOgbecausewe tradedwith their people. They both had powerful armies, and didwhatever they pleased. Yet we heard that the Children of Israel had foughtagainst themandwipedthemout.Wecouldn’tbelieve it.Fearran throughthecityofJericho.AndIknewdeepdowninmysoul that thesefollowersofGodwouldsomedaybecomingwiththeintentionofdefeatingus.”

“IWasSurprisedWhentheSpiesAppearedonMyDoorstep”“When twostrangerscame toJerichoandapproachedme, I thought theywerelikeall theothermenwhosoughtmeout. IwasshockedwhenI realized theywere Israeliteswhohadbeen sent by their leader to assess Jericho’s defenses.But I could tell thatGodwaswith them, andwhen they asked formyhelp, Igaveittothem.Ihidthemfromtheking’smeninmyhousebuiltintothewallsofthecity.AndIhelpedthemescape.Ithrewthekingofftheirscentbysendinghismen in thewrongdirection. In turn, the Israelitespiesswore toprotectmeandmyfamily—butonlyifItiedascarletcordinthewindow.”Shelooksdownand fingers the belt around her waist. “This very cord. I wear it inremembrance.”

“IWasSurprisedWhentheIsraelitesKeptTheirPromisetoSpareMeandMyFamily”“ThedaythattheIsraelitesshowedupoutsideofthecity,Iknewitwasonlyamatteroftimebeforetheyfoundawayin.ThatverydayIwenttomyparents,mybrothers, andmysistersand told them to staywithme inmyhouse.Theyrefused.Theywantednothing todowithme,and theyboastedaboutJericho’simpenetrablewalls.Thenextdaytheresultwasthesame.Butbythethirddaythey began to lookworried.One ofmy brothers came to staywithme. Thenanother.Thenasister.Onthesixthday,myfatherdeclaredthatallofuswouldwaittheretogether.Andontheseventhday,Godbroughtdownthewalls.

“Aswehuddledtogetherinmyroomlisteningtothesoundsofpeoplebeingslaughtered outsidemy door, Iwondered if thisGod andHis followers couldreally be trusted.When there was loud pounding on the door, we feared theworst.ButGodwasfaithful.Thespieswhohadmade thepromiseescortedusoutofthecitybeforetheyburnedittotheground.”

“IWasSurprisedtoBeIncludedintheBloodlineofJesus”ThegreatestsurpriseofallwasthatI—theonepeoplecalledRahabthewhore—was considered righteous by God,8 married Salmon, and became the great-grandmother, twenty-eight generations removed, of Jesus, the Messiah andSaviorofmankind.”9

GodIstheMasterofSurprisesManypeopleexpresssurprisethatGodwouldincludeaharlotinthebloodlineofJesus, but if you think about it, you can see that the Bible is really one longrecordofGod-surprises.NoahwassurprisedwhenGodorderedhimtobuildanark and saved him and his family from the flood that destroyed the world.AbrahamandSarahweresurprisedwhenGodgavethemasonintheiroldage.Moseswassurprisedbytheburningbush.TheChildrenofIsraelweresurprisedwhenGodrolledbackthewatersoftheJordantoallowthemtomarchintothePromisedLand.ThepeopleoftheHolyLandweresurprisedwhenElijahcalledfiredownonMountCarmel.AndtheentireworldwassurprisedwhenGodsentJesus,HisonlySon,downtoearthtoredeemmankind.

We’ve all heard the old cliché “God moves in mysterious ways.” It’sprobably more accurate to say that God specializes in surprising us. A God-surprise…

isunexpectedandunexplainable,disruptsthestatusquo,turnstheordinaryintothespectacular,showsyouhowmuchbiggerGodisthanwhatyouhaveknownorseen,changesyourexpectationsandyourdestiny,andleavesnoroomfordoubt—GodisGod.

TheonlythinginlifethatshouldnotsurpriseusisthatGodwillsurpriseus.Hedelightsindoingso.IfGod’smindweresmallenoughforustounderstand,Hewouldn’tbeGod.

LifeLessonsfromRahabAswethinkaboutGod’ssurprises,Rahabbeginstospeakagainandsharesthewisdomofherexperience:

“GodInvitesYoutoBePartofHisStory—JoinHim”“Everyperson’slifeisastorywiththepotentialfordramaandhumor, tragedyandtriumph.Mylifewasanamazingstory.Yourlifeisalsoastory.Howwillitturnout?AnyonewhoturnstoGodisinvitedtobepartofHisstory,andthatisthemostamazingthingofall.Godisextendingtoyouaninvitationtobepartofsomethingbigger.

“IwasamemberofaraceGodtoldtheChildrenofIsraeltowipeout,yetHestillinvitedmetobepartofHisstory.Infact,IwaspartofHisgreateststory,thesendingofJesustosavetheworld.YoucanbepartofthatsamestoryifyouchoosetojoinGodandfollowHisleading.”

“GodWantstoSurpriseYouwithHisLove—AcceptHim”“IdidnotexpectGodtoloveme.Iwasanoutcast.Evenmyownfamilyrejectedme.ButGoddidloveme.Thatwasasurprise.IonlyhadtochoosetoacceptHislove.

“Do you knowhowmuchGod loves you?He loves each of us as if therewereonlyoneofus.Hisloveisreal,andHisoffertobeyourGodisalwaysonthetable.Doyoudoubtit?Ifso,theneverydaytellyourselfthatGodlovesyouasyouare—notasyouwishyouwere.Notasothersthinkyouare.Asyouarerightnow.Andyoucannotchangethat.YoucannotmakeHimloveyoumore.YoucannotmakeHimloveyouless.HisloveisHislove.Ihopeyouacceptit,asIdid.”

“GodAsksYoutoSurpriseOtherswithYourActions—ObeyHim”“Myacceptanceofthespiessurprisedmyfamily.TheythoughtIwasfoolishtoaidanenemyandtodefytheking.Theirreactionwasmotivatedbyfear.Minewasmotivatedbylove.ItookactionbecauseIbelievedintheLivingGodtheyserved,theGodInowserve—myGodandSavior.Iactedtosavethespies,butGodused that action to saveme.And that’s often howGodworks.We serveothers unselfishly out of obedience toHim, andGod uses our own actions tohelpus. It isourbusiness todowhat’s right; it’sGod’sbusiness tomakesureeverything turns out right.ObeyingGod placedme inHis care, andwhatHegaveme—aplaceinJesus’slineage—wasmineforever.

“What isGodcurrentlyaskingyou todo forsomeoneelse?Don’tquestionHim.Don’tdoubtHim.JustobeyHim.YouhavenoideawhatGodmightbeupto.It’snotwhatyoudothatmattersasmuchaswhatGoddoesthroughyou.Goddoesn’twantyourbusyness.Hewantsyourobedience.TheKingdomofGodisaparadox.Through a prostituteGod receivedglory.WhatmightHedo throughyou?”

“WhenGod Performs aMiracle, He Is SigningHis Name to Your Story—CelebrateHim”“Mylifestorydidnotstartoutwell.ThelifeofsinIchosepromisedsomuchbutproducedsolittle.ItisamiraclethatGodsparedmylife.IwasaCanaaniteandaprostitute.IandmyfamilyaloneweretheonlysurvivorsofJericho.Butit’s an even greater miracle that God allowed me to be Jesus’s grandmothertwenty-eight generations removed. God looked at my broken life and saw amasterpiece.IlearnedthatanythinglessthanGodwillletyoudown.

“Sometimeswegettoseethemiracle.Otherstimeswegettobethemiracle.WhenGodsurprisedmebyperformingamiracle,itwaslikeHewassigningHisname to my story. Others dismissed me, but God believed I was miraclematerial.Andasaresult,mynamehasbeenrememberedformillennia.

“ThinkaboutthethingsGodhasdoneforyou.It isHiswayofsigningHisname toyourstory.CelebrateHimfor thatbygivingHimyourall.PraiseHisholyname.”

ThePrayerofRahabRahabcloseshereyesforamoment,andthenshebeginstopray:“OLivingGodWhoLovesUs,“Whenyoulookatthesefriends,Youseeamasterpieceinthemaking,

justasYousawoneinme.Icelebratethat their livesareyetunfinishedstoriesbecauseitmeansthereisstillroomforYoursurprises.IpraythateverydaytheywillallowthemselvestobepartofYourgreaterstoryandthat they will allow the surprises You provide to ring through eternity.Amen.”Rahablooksatusonemoretimeandsays,“Thenextpersonyouwillmeet

willbehereshortly.Waitforherhere.Andremember:makeyourstorygreat!”

LeadershipLessonsfromRahabRahab’senthusiasmiscontagious.ShemakesmewanttobebetterthanIam,tomakemy life count forGod.Andher visit getsme thinking about leadership,andthelessonswecanlearnfromher.

1.GoodLeadersRecognizeWhenGodIsMovingWhen the people of Canaan heard the stories about the Israelites, they grewfearful. Not Rahab. She recognized that God was moving. He was doingsomething,andshepreparedherselftobecomeapartofit.

Goodleaderslearnhowtoreadeverysituationandunderstandwhat’sgoingon.Andwhen those leadersarepeopleof faith, theymustbecomesensitive totheHolySpiritandbeawareofhowGodismoving.Theyreadandrespondinappropriateways.

WhenIwas theseniorpastorofSkylineChurch, I remindedmyselfof thisevery Sunday before the service by reciting this prayer: “God, this is Yourchurch, notmine.You are in control, notme.My agenda is human;Yours isdivine. I submitmyself toYour agenda.WhenYoumove, I promise tomovewithYou.MymovementswithoutYouarenothingbutwood,hay,andstubble.Yourmovementsarelife-changing.”

If you lead people,make yourself aware ofwhatGod is doing. Submit toHim.Be sensitive toHim.Letgoofyour agenda, andwhenHemoves,movealongwithHim.

2.GoodLeadersDon’tAllowtheFearofOtherstoOvercomeTheirJudgmentTherewereseveral timesRahabcouldhave let fearoverwhelmher—when thewordcame to JerichoabouthowGodwashelping the Israelitesconquerotherkings,whenthespiesshowedupatherdoor,whenthekingsentleaderstoseekout the spies.But she didn’t. She kept herwits about her, helped the spies toescape from the locked-down city, and even advised them on how to evadecaptureandgetback to theirpeople safely.Sheshowedgood leadership skillsunderpressure.

Wheneverwefaceriskoruncertainty,fearcanbeaproblem.Butassomeoneoncepointedout,fearisafruit,nottherootoftheproblem.Inactioncomesfromlack of belief, not from fear itself.God is faithful.WhenHe saysHewill dosomething,Healwaysfollowsthrough.

Weshould learnfromRahab’sexample.Wecan’tallowfearorpressure tocloudourjudgment.Wemustfightfearwithfaith.Wemustovercomeinactionwithbelief.It’snomistakethattheBiblecontainstheadmonitionto“fearnot”365 times—one for every day of the year. Remember, people are alwaysdependingonleadersbecausetheyhavethecapacitytoseebeforeothersdo,toseefartherthanothersdo,andtoseemoreclearlythanothersdo.Ifleaderslosethatcapacity,thentheyshouldnolongerlead,becauseeveryonewillsuffer.

3.GoodLeadersAlwaysUsetheAdvantagesGodGivesThemtoHelpOthersWhen Rahab received favor from God and the spies, she used it to save herentirefamily—hermother,father,brothers,andsisters,andallwhobelongedtothem.She recognized that theadvantages she received from leadingwellwerenotjustforherself.

Ifyouleadothers,youneedtoaskyourselfwhyyoudoit.Isitforpersonalrecognition? Is it to receive the benefits? Does it make you feel better aboutyourself?Orareyoudoingittobenefitothers,tomaketheirstoriesbetterandtobringglorytoGod?Whyyouleadisasimportantaswhatyoudoasaleader.

Aswewaitforthenextgiantofthefaith,wethinkaboutRahab’smessage—thatGod’sstory is fullofsurprises—andI reflectonhowtrue thathasbeen inmylife. I still cannot believe how God has blessed me with a great family,wonderfulfriends,influenceuponothers,andsuccessbeyondthewildestdreamsofmyyouth.Idon’tdeserveanyofit,butIamcertainlygratefulforit.Andit’sinspiringtoberemindedthatmystoryisn’tfinishedyet.Ican’twaittofindoutwhatGodhasformenext.

WomantoWoman

InthinkingaboutRahab,IamremindedthatGod’splanisanintricatepuzzlethatnoneofuscouldeverunderstand.Whowouldn’t feelencouraged, inspired,and intrigued in thinkingaboutthisunwanted,unlovedwomanwhoispartofthelineageofourSavior?

Rahabgavetheonlythingshehad,whichwasherfaith.ByfaithevenRahabwassaved.Wearefondofsaying,“Comejustasyouare.”Rahabcame,andshewasdelivered.Ilovethateveninmyunlovablemoments,Godissovereignandstillhasaplanformylife.Andevenintheunlovablemomentsofthepeoplearoundme,Godissovereignandstillhasaplanfortheirlives.Godisgracious.

Ican’twait tositat the feetofJesusandhear themanystoriesofhowHehasused themostunexpected,unfitpeopletosavethousandsandbringthelostintoHiskingdom!

RahabremindsmethatGodwelcomesmeandhasaplanforme.—JennRichards

QuestionsforReflectionorDiscussionTo learn more about Rahab, read Joshua 2:1–24 and 6:20–25, Matthew 1:5,Hebrews11:31,andJames2:25.

1.Haveyoueverthoughtofyourlifeasastory?Ifyouwereaskedtodescribeitasone,howwouldyoudoso?Youmaywanttocompareittoafamiliarmovie,play,orbook.

2.Well-toldstorieshaveabeginning,middle,andend.Whichpartofyourstoryareyoucurrentlyliving?Explain.

3.Howwouldyoulikeyourstorytoend?Describeit.4.DoyoubelievethatGodstilldoesmiraclestoday?Whyorwhynot?5.WhatwoulditmeanforyoutojoinGod’sstoryinawayyouhaven’tbefore?6.WhereisGodcurrentlymovinginyourlife?Ifyou’renotsure,askothersif

theycansenseit.7.WhatactionisGodcurrentlyaskingyoutotake?Describehowyoufeelabout

it,andareyouwillingtotakethatstep?

HANNAH

GodBlessesthePromisesYouKeeptoHim

Rahabtoldustowaithereforthenextperson,sowewait.Itgivesussometimetoviewoursurroundings.Ilookmorecloselyatthewallmadeofclearstoneofa vivid blue. Each slab is larger than a railroad car. The sides are perfectlystraight and smooth, the corners perfect. They are fitted together so tightly Idon’tthinkIwouldevenbeabletoslideapieceofpaperbetweenthem.

Ilookdownandrealizethatthestreetwestandonappearstobemadeofthesamehardcrystalmaterialthewallsaremadeof.Ittoolooksperfect.

I’mdyingtodosomeexploring.Wewaitafewmoreminutes,andthenIcanstand it no longer.Nearby is a stairwaybuilt into the great citywall.We justhavetoclimbitandtakealookaround.

IttakesmuchlongerthanIexpectedforustomakeourwayuptothetopofthestairway.Ihavenoideahowhighwe’veclimbed,butwhenwedofinallygettothetop,I’moutofbreath.

Thewall ismuchwider than I expected, but then I remember how long ittookustowalkthroughthetunnelunderit.Wewalkoutontothetopofthewall,whichislikeaparadeground,exceptthatinsteadofbeingmadeofdirtorgrass,the surface isof theclear stone thatmadeup the foundationof thewall.Herethere are also geometric patternsmade of brightly colored stones inlaid in thesurface.It’sbeautiful.

Westopandlookbacktowardthecityandrealizethatitisbuiltinlevels,onerisingupabovethenext.Eachlevelhasafoundationandwallof itsown.Thelowestleveliswidest,andeachlevelaboveitisslightlysmaller.ItrisessohighIcan’tseethetop.

Wewalkacrossthewall towardtheouteredge.Theviewis incredible.We

canseethemeadowwecrossedtogettothecity.Thereareforestsandvalleysandstreamsbelowus.IwonderiftheGardenofEdenlookedanythinglikewhatwe’reseeing.

Aswegazeoutbeyondthewalls,wehearthevoiceofsomeonebehindus.“Isee you couldn’t resist coming up to look at the view,” she says. “It’s quitebeautiful,isn’tit?”

Weturnandseearathersmallmiddle-agedwomandressedinasimplegraycloak.Shehasakindfacethatremindsmeofmymother.

“Let’swalkalongthewallaswetalk,”shesays.Shewalkstotheleftsothatthemeadowisonourleftandthecityonourright.

PromptedtoPray“What is your greatestwish?” she asks. “What is the deepest longing of yoursoul,thethingyoubelieveyouwereputonearthtodo?”Herwordshangintheair for a moment. I begin to search for my answer, but before I am able toarticulate it, shecontinues speaking. “I lived the firsthalfofmy lifewith thatdreamunfulfilled.And I feared that perhaps itwouldnever be fulfilled.Whatdoesonedointhatsituation?”

Again she leaves us with the question, prompting us to think. And again,beforewe can respond, she speaks. “I amHannah,” she says, “and I want toexplainsomeveryimportantthingstoyouaboutthepromiseswemaketoGod.”

“Most People Make Bold Promises to God During Times of Pressure andDesperation”“I know this because Iwas one of them.You see, every day, year after year,Elkanah’sotherwife,Peninnah,humiliatedmebecause shehadchildrenand Ididnot.Itcrushedmeandmademesicktomystomach.IoftenfeltsoterribleIcouldnoteveneat. Indesperation IpromisedGod that ifHewouldgivemeason,IwoulddedicatetheboytoHim.Notonlythat,butIwoulddedicatehimasaNazirite,onesetapartfromallothers.

“Sometimeswhenwe’redesperateandwemakepromisestoGod,webelievethatwe need to sweeten the deal to getGod to give uswhatwewant.That’swhatIdid.IhopedGodwouldnotbeabletoresistsuchadeal.ButGodcannotbebribed.Hehasnoneedforanythingwecouldpossiblyoffer.WhenGodsaysyestoourrequest,itisforourbenefit,notHis.”

“ManyPeopleFeelaSenseofReliefAfterPrayer”“AfterIprayedintheTemplecourt,askingGodforason,andafterEliprayedformeandblessedme,Ifeltbetter.InolongerfeltthedeepgriefIhadbefore,andIcouldfinallyeatagain.

“Many people use prayer as ameans of release. They pray and feel relief.The greater the pressure, the more desperate the prayer—and the greater thereliefwhentheyunburdenthemselves.Butprayerismorethanjustarelease—amentalorspiritualwaytorelievepressure.ItisinteractionwiththeLivingGodoftheuniverse,theAuthorofallthings.Wemustneverforgetthatortakeitforgranted!”

“SomePeopleRememberTheirPromiseAfterthePressureHasBeenLifted”“Howmanydesperateprayershaveweprayedinourlives?Howmanypromiseshavewemade toGodwhenwewere afraid, guilty, sick, or crushed in spirit?Even themost hardened skeptic prayswhen he is desperate enough.Yet howmanypeopleforget thoseprayersonce theyareno longerafraidordistraught?HowmanyforgettheGodWhohelpedthemafterthetimeofdangerordistress?

“WhenIrealizedIwaspregnant,myheartleapedforjoy.Mylifelongdreamwas finallybeing fulfilled. I could finally facePeninnahandholdmyheaduphigh. I could finally see joy added to love in the eyes of Elkanah, instead ofsympathy.Iwouldbeamotheratlast!

“Knowingthat,howcouldIforgettheOneWhomadeitpossible?Ididnotforget my promise to God. And if you havemade a promise to God, neithershouldyou.”

“FewPeopleFollowThroughandKeepTheirPromisestoGod”“WhenweprayforsomethingandmakeabigpromisetoGod—andHedelivers—wehaveasignificantdecisiontomake.Willwekeepourpromise?

“WhenIgavebirth toSamuel, IdidnotknowifGodwouldevergrantmeanother child. Truthfully, I worried that He wouldn’t. And I started thinking,Whatwillhappentome?IfIgiveupSamuel,whowillcareformeinmyoldage,afterElkanahisgone?SurelyPeninnah’schildrenwillnot lifta finger tohelpme.

“I knew therewas a very good chance Iwould become a destitutewidow.Does God ask us to keep a promise that may put us in such difficultcircumstances? Iwondered.Doesn’tHemakeexceptions?To that Ihaveonlyonethingtosay:GodblessesthepromisesyoukeeptoHim.”

LifeLessonsfromHannahHannahletsherwordssoakinaswewalkwithherataleisurelypace.Herslowsteadyspeechseems tomatchourgait.She is innohurry.Shespeakswithaneasy confidence, like a veteran teacherwhose tone says that she has our bestinterestsatheartandwantstomakesurewedon’tmissanimportantlesson.

Istart thinkingaboutthetimesinmylifewhenI’vemadepromisestoGodunderpressure,butbeforeIhavetimetoreflect,Hannahisspeakingagain:

“WhenYouKeepYourPromisetoGod,HeBlessesYouwithJoy”“When I became pregnant, I was ecstatic. I cannot describe what it meant tohaveachildgrowinginsidemewhenIhadbeendesperateforoneforsolong.ForninemonthsIwondered,woulditbeagirlthatIcouldkeep?OrwoulditbeaboythatIwouldneedtodedicatetoGod?IadmitIhadmixedfeelings.Everywomanofmytimewantedasontocarryonthefamilynameandtostandinhisfather’splacewhenhewenttobewiththeLord.ButIknewthatifGodgavemeagirl,Iwouldbeabletokeepher.

“WhenmySamuelwasborn,Iwasoverjoyed.ButIalsoknewwhatitmeant.Myboywasonlyon loan tome.Hebelonged toGod. IknewIwould followthrough. I would dedicate him to God, and not merely the way the Lawinstructed, byoffering a sacrifice inhis place. Iwould truly givehim toGod.AfterSamuelwasweaned,IdeliveredhimtoEliinShilohsothathecouldserveGodinHishouseallthedaysofhislife.AndGodacceptedhim,eventhoughhewasnotaLevite,notfromthetribeofpriests.

“ItoldyouIfeltreliefandjoythedayEliprayedformeattheTemple.AndIfeltjoythedayIrealizedIwaspregnant.Believeitornot,IfeltjustasmuchjoythedayIdepartedfromthehouseofGodandleftmysonbehindinthecareofEli.FewthingsinthislifereturnasmuchjoyascheerfulobediencetoGod.”

“WhenYouKeepYourPromiseWholeheartedly,GodBlessesYoubyGivingBacktoYou”“WhenIgaveSamueltoGod,Ididn’tknowwhatmyfutureheld.ButGodwaskind tome.Heblessedmewith threemore sons and twodaughters. I lived afulfillinglifeasamother,grandmother,andgreat-grandmother.

“GodalwaysgivesbacktouswhenwegivetoHim.Hedoesnotpromisetogivebackinkind.HenevertoldmeHewouldgivemeanothersontoreplacetheoneIgaveHim.ButGodalwaysgivesbackinsomeway.Youcannotout-giveGod.”

“WhenYouKeepYourPromiseforYourReasons,GodBlessesOthersforHisReasons”“Myprayer toGodwasverypersonal.Iwantedtoexperiencegivingbirthandnursing a baby. Iwanted to know the fulfillment of being amother.AndmypromisetoHimwasalsopersonal.ButGodtookwhatwaspersonaltomeanduseditasagifttoblessothers:

“God blessed my beloved husband Elkanah with more sons anddaughters.“GodblessedEliwithagood‘son’andspiritualheirtoreplacehistwo

wickedsons.“God blessed Samuel by allowing him to become a true priest and a

prophetwhoservedGodfaithfullyforallhislife.“God blessed all of Israel because her children enjoyed one of the

nation’sbestleaders.“IneverdoubtedthesovereigntyofGod,butIalsohadnoideahowmuch

Godcoulddowithmysingleactofobedience.“NeverunderestimateGod.YouhavenoideahowmanyblessingsHewill

showeronotherswhenyoukeepyourpromisestoHim.YourgratefulobediencenotonlyshowsGodyourlove;italsofreesHimtouseyoutoblessothersanddoHiswill.”

ThePrayerofHannahHannah stopswalking and faces us.With each of her hands she grabs one ofours.“Eliprayedformethatdaysomanyyearsago,”shesays,“andnow,likehim,Ishallprayforyou.”Withastrong,confidentvoiceshesays,

“OGodOurProvider,“DonotallowmyfriendstoforgetthepromisestheyhavemadetoYou.

WhenYougive them thedesires of their hearts, bring their promises tomind,andgivethemtheheartandthewill tofulfill thosepromises.AndmayothersbebountifullyblessedbytheircheerfulandgratefulobediencetoYou.Amen.”

Hannahexudes aquiet confidenceas she smiles atus. “Youwill go to thesecondlevelofthecitytomeetthenextperson.Insteadofgoingbackdownthewayyoucame,keepwalkinginthisdirectionalongthetopofthiswall,andyouwillsooncometoabridgeonyourright.Walkacrossitbacktowardtheheartofthe city. Shewill bewaiting for you at the end of the bridge.”With that shereleasesourhandsandsendsusonourway.

LeadershipLessonsfromHannahAswewalkinthedirectionHannahindicated,wereflectonherwordsandthewisdomcontainedinthem.AndIrecognizethatleadershipinsightcanbegainedfromher:

1.WhenYouAreFaithfultoGod,HeFightsforYouWhen Hannah left Samuel at the house of God, she didn’t mourn. Shecelebrated.Herprayerstartswiththewords,

I’mburstingwithGOD-news!I’mwalkingonair.I’mlaughingatmyrivals.I’mdancingmysalvation.10

Whywas she so happy?Certainly her faithfulness toGodhad brought hergreat fulfillment. But therewas also another reason. She recognized thatGodhadfoughtforher,whichHealwaysdoesforthosewhoarefaithfultoHim.InherprayershespeaksofGodsmashingtheweaponsofthestrongandinfusingtheweakwith strength, feeding the hungry, and giving children to the barren.Shesumsupherperspectivebysaying,

GOD’senemieswillbeblastedoutofthesky,crashedinaheapandburned.GODwillsetthingsrightallovertheearth.11

GodfoughtforHannah,andHewants tofightforyou.Asyouleadothers,remainfaithfultoGodbecauseitmakesyouacandidateforGod’sfavor.

2.WhenYouAreFaithfultoGod,HeAlsoBlessesthePeopleYouLeadAftertheHebrewsarrivedinthePromisedLandandJoshuadied,theleadershipofIsraelwasatbestinconsistent.JudgesrecordshowoccasionallyagoodleadersuchasDeborahorGideonwouldemerge,butmostofthetimetheleaderswereweakornonexistent.AsaresultthepeopleofIsraelwereunfaithfultoGod,andtheir enemiesdominated them.The lastwords recorded in thebookof Judgesdescribe the situation leading up toHannah’s era: “At that time therewas nokinginIsrael.Peopledidwhatevertheyfeltlikedoing.”12

EventheleadershipofGod’stabernaclewasinshambles.Eliwasafaithfulpriest, but he did not provide good leadership. His two corrupt sons violatedGod’spreceptsfortheLevites,yetElididnothing.

Into this leadership-starvedatmospherearrivedSamuel, through the faithfulobedience of Hannah’s kept promise. Samuel too was faithful to God, and itwasn’tlongbeforehisinfluencegrewandblessedthepeopleofIsrael.Scripturesays,

Samuel grew up. GOD was with him, and Samuel’s prophetic recordwas flawless.Everyone in Israel, fromDan in thenorth toBeersheba inthe south, recognized thatSamuelwas the real thing—a trueprophet ofGOD.GODcontinuedtoshowupatShiloh,revealedthroughhiswordtoSamuelatShiloh.13

Samuel became the voice of God for the people. He directed and advisedthem.DuringhislifetimeheestablishedkingsandhelpedIsraelachievevictoryoveritsenemies.Samuelservedmanyrolesinhislifetimeandallofthemwereinfluential.Hannah’sobedienceaffectedmanygenerationsinIsrael.

3.WhenYouAreFaithfultoGod,HeMultipliesYourImpactWhatmighthavehappenedifHannahhaddecidedtokeepSamuelforherself?Or if Elkanah had not said, “Let God complete what he has begun!”14 whenHannahstatedherintentiontodedicateSamueltoGodafterhewasweaned?NoonebutGodknows.Butwedoknow this: becauseHannah faithfully fulfilledherpromisetoGod,theentirenationofIsraelbenefited.TheIsraelitesresistedthePhilistines,whowantedtoenslavethem.ThepeoplewerechallengedtoturnfromidolatrybySamuel.AndDavidwasanointedkingoverIsraelandunifiedthetribesintoasinglemightynation.

When we look at Hannah’s sacrifice of her own son for God’s greaterpurpose,werealizethatthepeopleoftheOldTestamentreceivedaglimpseofwhatGodintendedtodowhenHegaveHisownSonforus.

Ifyou’reamotherorfather,youneedtounderstandthatyourchildcouldbethenextSamuel.YouhavenoideawhatGodmaydowithyourchildren.Soraisethemwell.Trainthemupinthewaytheyshouldgo.AndreleasethemtofulfilltheirGod-givenpurposewhenthetimecomes.

WomantoWoman

IlovethenameofHannahandthestorythatgoesalongwithit.Turnsoutmyparentsdidtoo,since theynamedmeafter theHannah in theBible. Iamonly thirteenandIdon’thavemuchexperiencewithmakingpromisestoGod.Butlastyear,whenmydadwasreallysick,Iprayedoutofdesperation.IreallyneededananswertomyprayerandIwasn’tgoingtostopprayingforit.Iguessmypersistencemakesmealittlelikeher.

HannahprayedandmadeapromisetoGodoutofdesperation.Foryearsshedidn’thaveanychildrenandwasremindedofthatbyElkanah’sotherwife.ShealsomadeapromisetogetGod’sattention.IthinkHannahprobablythoughtherpromisewouldsweetenthedealalittletoo.

The first lesson I am learning fromHannah is to always putGod first inmy life, evenwhenit’shard.ThesecondlessonI’mlearningis thatonlyGodcanmeetmydeepestneeds.WheneverIneedtomakeapromisetoGod,IwillrememberHannah,andtrytoliveuptomyname.

—HannahMaxwell

QuestionsforReflectionorDiscussionTolearnmoreaboutHannah,read1Samuel1:1–2:21.

1.HannahwasmadetofeelbadbyPeninnah.Haveyoueverbeeninapositionwheresomeonebelittledyoubecausetheysaidyoulackedsomequality,possession,oradvantagethattheyhad?Howdiditmakeyoufeel?Howdidyourespond?

2.Whenyoufeeldiscouragedandsomeoneattemptstoencourageyou,asElkanahtriedtodowithHannah,doesithelpyou?Howdoyouordinarilyrespond?Whydoyoureactasyoudo?

3.Doyoucurrentlyhaveadeepdesireforsomething,similartoHannah’sdesireforachild?Ifso,whatisit?

4.WhatwoulditmeantoyouifGodfulfilledthatdesire?5.HaveyouevermadeapromisetoGodwhenyouwereintroubleordistress?

Ifso,whatwasit?Didyoukeepit,orchoosenottofollowthrough,orforgetaboutitwhenitwastimetofulfillit?Explain.

6.IsthereapromisethatGodiscurrentlyremindingyouabout?Ifso,areyouwillingtofollowthroughwithit?

7.HowcanothersassistyouasyoustrivetobefaithfultoGod?

ABIGAIL

ASingleActofWisdomCanChangeYourDestiny

Wewalkalongthewall,anditisn’tlongbeforeweseethebridgeaheadonourright.It’sextraordinary.Thebridgeisbuiltinalong,gracefularchthatspansthespacebetweenthetopof thewallandthesecondlevelof thecity.Wecanseethatthebridgeisnotmadeofthesamematerialasthewall,butfromadistance,it’sdifficulttorecognizewhatitscoloractuallyis.Aswegetcloser,wecanseethatthestructureisn’tjustasinglecolor.It’slayersofdifferentcolorsinbands—purple,pink,orange,yellow,andwhite.Thecolorsandpatternremindmeofabeautiful geode I saw in a museum, with its multilayered patterns of crystal.Some of the bands are wide, others narrow, and they appear to be perfectlystraightandlevel.

Whenwefinallyarriveatthebridge,wegetasenseofhowbigitis.Fourorfive carswouldbe able todriveover it sideby side. It risesgently toward itscenter.Aswewalkonthebridge,thecurveofthesurfaceexposesthebandsofcoloredstone.Theyarespectacular.Andthenitoccurs tomethat therearenojointsorseamsanywheretobeseenintheentirebridge.Thestructureismadeofasinglemassivepieceofstone!

I’msodistractedthatInearlyrunintoacouplewhoarewalkingalongintheopposite direction. The woman is dressed in an odd outfit made of a weirdshimmeringkindoffabric.Hershoesaretransparent.Themanisdressedonlyinaloinclothandwalksonbarefeet.

I apologize, and refocusmyattention forward.That’swhen I start tomakeout thebuildingsbeyond thebridge.Theyglimmer. I realize theyaremadeofgold.

Evenbeforewegetclosetotheendofthebridge,wecanseeher.Shestands

out like a jewel set in gold, like a beautiful amethyst. Shewears a long cloakmadeofavibrantvioletfabric.Herpostureiserect.Thewordthatimmediatelycomes to mind is dignified.When we get close enough, we can see that shewears a golden necklace. Rings adorn her fingers.And in her hair are combsadornedwithjewels.Butthesearenothingcomparedtoherbeauty.Surelythiswomanmustbeaqueen.

“Greetingstoyou,myfriends,”shesays.Hervoiceisbeautiful,likeasong.“Iamdelightedtomeetyou.Ihavebeenlookingforwardtoourtimetogether.Shallwewalk?”She asks it as a polite question, but her confidence and toneleavenoroomforanyanswerbutyes.

“Myfatherthoughthewasdoingmeafavorwhenhearrangedmymarriageto a wealthy and well-established man whose household was huge. But myhusband was a cruel man, stingy and full of his own self-importance. I andeveryoneelse inhis life sufferedbecauseofhis shortsightednessandhispettyleadership.

“Foryears Idideverything inmypower to try tohelphimand towinhimover, but nothingworked. I resignedmyself to enduring him andmaking themostofabadsituation.ButthenNabaldidsomethingthatwasfoolishevenbyhis standards. He insulted David, God’s anointed, and treated his men withcontempt.Hedoomedus.Heputourentirehouseholdinano-winsituation.Butlet me tell you something,” she says, pausing for emphasis. “A single act ofwisdomcanchangeyourdestiny.”

WhenWisdomandActionComeTogetherThewifeofNabal.ThisisnoneotherthanAbigail.Nowondershespeakswithsuchcommandandintelligence.Herwisdominanextremelydifficultsituationwas exceptional. David sent ten youngmen to askNabal for food during thesheepshearingcelebration,sinceDavid’smenhadprotectedNabal’sshepherds.ButNabalrespondedbysaying,

Who is thisDavid?Who is this son of Jesse? The country is full ofrunawayservantsthesedays.DoyouthinkI’mgoingtotakegoodbreadandwineandmeatfreshlybutcheredformysheepshearersandgiveittomenI’veneverlaideyeson?Whoknowswherethey’vecomefrom?15

Nabal’s insults infuriated David, who responded by commanding fourhundredofhisbattle-hardenedmentoarmthemselvesandtraveltoMaonnearCarmel, where Nabal lived. But Abigail’s wisdom and grace in the face ofdangerwereexceptional.

AbigailHadtheWisdomtoListentotheYoungShepherdThe word of what had happened between Nabal and David’s men came toAbigail through a young shepherd who had benefited from the protection ofDavid.He understood howpowerfulDavid and hismenwere, and hewarnedAbigailofimpendingdisaster.

To her credit, Abigail didn’t discount or dismiss what the shepherd saidbecausehewasyoungorbecausehisstatuswaslowly.Shetookineverythinghesaidandquicklyassessedthesituationtheentirehouseholdwasfacing.

AbigailHadtheWisdomtoTakeImmediateActionManypeoplewhenconfrontedwithgenuinedangerareparalyzedbyfear.Theycanbecomerackedwithindecisionoroutrightfreezeup.NotAbigail.Scripturesays,

Abigail flew into action. She took two hundred loaves of bread, twoskinsofwine,fivesheepdressedoutandreadyforcooking,abushelofroastedgrain,ahundredraisincakes,andtwohundredfigcakes,andshehaditall loadedonsomedonkeys.Thenshesaidtoheryoungservants,“Goaheadandpavethewayforme.I’mrightbehindyou.”Butshesaidnothingtoherhusband,Nabal.16

AbigailknewthatDavidneededfoodandsupplies.That’swhathe’dhadhismen ask for. So she quickly selected provisions, probably from what herhusbandwaspreparingtofeastuponhimself,andsentthemonaheadofherinawayreminiscentofhowJacobsentgiftstohisbrotherEsaubeforecrossingtheJordanRivertofacehim.

AbigailHadtheWisdomtoActwithHumilityAbigailborenoblamefor thefoolishactionsofherhusband,yetshehumbledherself beforeDavid, falling to her knees and putting her face to the ground.“Mymaster, letmetaketheblame!”shesaid.“Don’tdwellonwhat thatbruteNabaldid.Heactsoutthemeaningofhisname:Nabal,Fool.Foolishnessoozesfrom him.”17 Abigail grabbed David’s attention with her humility andsubmission.PerhapssomeofthewordsDavidwroteinthePsalms,

The Lord preserves those who are true to him, but the proud hepaysbackinfull,18

were inspired by the humblewords and actions ofAbigail andwhat occurredafterward.

AbigailHadtheWisdomtoPutThingsintoPerspectiveforDavidOnce Abigail had David’s attention and had started to defuse his anger byproviding food forhimandhismen, shespokewithgreatwisdomandclarity,helpingDavidtoseethingsfromGod’sperspective,saying,

MymasterfightsGOD’sbattles!Aslongasyoulivenoevilwillsticktoyou.…YourGOD -honored life is tightlybound in thebundleofGOD -protectedlife;Butthelivesofyourenemieswillbehurledasideasastoneisthrownfromasling.WhenGODcompletesallthegoodnesshehaspromisedmymasterand

setsyouupasprinceoverIsrael,mymasterwillnothavethisdeadweightinhisheart,theguiltofanavengingmurder.19Davidwasinstantlyremindedofhistruemissionandrecognizedthetruthof

whatAbigailsaid.

AbigailHadtheWisdomtoAskforDavid’sFavorAbigail’smaingoalsweretosavethepeopleofherhouseholdfromdestructionandtoguideDavidawayfromrevengesothathewouldnotbecomedistractedfromhisGod-givenmissionoffightingGod’sbattles.However,shedidn’tstopthere.SheaskedforDavid’sfavor,saying,“AndwhenGODhasworkedthingsforgoodformymaster,rememberme.”20

Perhaps Abigail knew that the foolishness and meanness of her husbandwouldinevitablyleadtotrouble,soshewasplanningaheadforsuchatime.Atanyrate,Davidrecognizedherintelligenceandvalue,acknowledgingthatGodHimselfhadsentAbigailtochangehisheart.

It’s smallwonder thatwhenDavid learneda fewdays later thatNabalhaddied,heagainacknowledged,“BlessedbeGODwhohasstoodupformeagainstNabal’sinsults,keptmefromanevilact,andletNabal’sevilboomerangbackonhim.”21DavidimmediatelysentforAbigail,askingthatshebecomehiswife.

LifeLessonsfromAbigailThemore I think aboutAbigail’s story, themore I am in awe of her. I can’tcontainmyself,andIfeelthatIhavetotellher.

“Youdisplayedsuchfantastic leadership,”Isay.“Withasingleaction,youdidsomanythings.Yousavedyourhousehold.YoupreventedabloodfeudthatwouldhaveeruptedbetweenDavidandhis followers,and the familyofNabalwithin the tribe of Caleb. And you prevented God’s anointed leader frombecomingdistractedfromhiscalling.”

Abigaileyesmeandresponds,“True.Ialsochangedmydestinyandthatofmy future children. Iwaswell cared for,my childrenwere the offspring of agodlyman,and Ihad thehonorof servingasaqueenof Israel.And therearesomethingsyoucanlearnfromthis.”

“WisdomPairedwithActionGetsPositiveResults”“Whatuseiswisdomwithoutaction?Itislikeajewelleftburiedintheground,agiftthoughtfullygivenbutleftunopened,amealbeautifullypreparedandlaid,but left uneaten. It’s a terrible waste. As a result of that pairing, nothing isaccomplished,nothingchanges.

“Whatuseisactionwithoutwisdom?It’slikeastormthatragesonthesea,havingpowerbutaccomplishingnothingpositiveorconstructive.Atbestitleadstoahollowbusyness.Atworstitcreatesdestruction.

“However,whenwisdomispairedwithaction,itcansavefamilies,beatbackhostile armies, bring together enemies. It can change the world. One of thethingsthatmademyhusbandDavidgreatwashowoftenhepairedactionwithwisdomandallowedthemtobeguidedbylove.”

“WhenTakingAction,DotheRightThingtheRightWay”“WhenIthrewmyselfatthefeetofmylord,David,Iwasdoingtherightthing.The actions ofNabal had been foolish andmean, but had not violatedGod’sLawinawaythatwarrantedadeathsentence.Byinterveningonhisbehalf,Inotonly savedNabal and the people of our household, I also kept David from agrievouserror.

“IsupposeIcouldhaveactedwithindignation.IcouldhavelecturedDavidand cited the Law. But even the right thing done the wrongway can lead todisaster.No,justbecauseIwasintherightdidnotmeanIwasfreetoactinthewrong.AsGod’sanointed,Daviddeservedmyrespect,andIwasgladtogiveittohim.”

“GodPromisestoGiveYouWisdomifYouAsk—SoAsk”“ThewisdomIpossessedinlifewasgrantedtomebyGod.ItwasagiftIneitherearnednordeserved,yetitservedmewell.Andwhat’sfantasticisthatGodwillgenerouslygiveittoyou,justasHedidtoDavid’ssonSolomonwhenheaskedforit.Manycenturiesaftermytimeonearth,James, theearthlybrotherofourLordJesus,revealedthispromiseofGodtotheChurch,tellingthem,“‘Ifanyofyou lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all withoutfindingfault,anditwillbegiventoyou.’”22

Abigail stops and looks as us intently. “Only the foolish, like my firsthusband, Nabal, do not ask God for wisdom,” she says. “So if you have notalreadyaskedforwisdomfromHim,whatareyouwaitingfor?”

ThePrayerofAbigailWhenAbigailasks thisquestion,wefeelpromptedtoanswer.Beforeeitherofushasachancetorespond,shebeginswalkingagain,andsays,“BeforeIleaveyou,Ifeelcompelledtoprayforyou,”andsheimmediatelylaunchesin:

“All-knowingandAll-powerfulGod,“WegladlyacknowledgethatareverentfearofYouisthebeginningof

allwisdom,andweembracethattruthwholeheartedly.IaskthatyougivethesechildrenofYourwisdom—tofollowYou,toleadothers,andtofulfilltheirpurpose.WearegratefulthatthroughourrequestsandouractsofobedienceYouallowustochangehistoryandthedestinyofourselvesandothers.MaytheyalwaysactwithYourwisdom.Amen.”

LeadershipLessonsfromAbigail“Tomeet your nextmentor, you need onlywalk up this street,” saysAbigail,pointinginthedirectionwehavebeenwalking.“Whenyou’vereachedtherightplace,you’llknowit.”

She is so charismatic and her words so engaging that I’ve hardly paidattentiontooursurroundingsaswe’vewalked.AsIlookwheresheispointing,Iseethebuildingsthatlinetheroadoneitherside.Theirbright,reflectivesurfaceslooklikepolishedgold,andtheirbeautymakesmespeechless.BeforeI’mabletothankAbigail,orindeedtosayanythingatall,shehasleftus.

As you and I walk along the street, passing one golden structure afteranother,wethinkabouttheleadershipwisdomwecangleanfromAbigail.

1.LeadersNeedtoPossesstheRightPerspectiveEventhoughDavidwasapowerfulleaderandwasanointedtobecomeking,itwas Abigail who brought the right perspective to him. She saw the biggerpicture.ShethoughtthroughtheconsequencesofDavid’sintendedactions.Shehada senseofwhatGoddesired frombothof them in that situation.And shelookedtothefuture,notonlyforherselfbutforothers.

Ifyouarealeader,youmustalwaysseekGod’swisdom,takethelongview,andattempttoseethebigpicture.Inaddition,youcannotallowyouremotionstooverwhelmyourjudgment.Youmustmaintainyourperspective.Thepeopleyouleadaredependingonyou.

2.LeadersMustTakeInitiativeWhileitwastruethatNabalwastheheadofthehousehold,hewasnotthetrueleader.Abigailwas.Sheunderstoodthepredicamentallofthemwerein,andsherightlyjudgedthatifshedidnottakeaction,theresultwouldbecatastrophicforeveryone.

Istronglybelievethatgoodleadersseethingsbeforeothersdo.ThatabilityislargelyGod-given.WhydoesGodgrant thatability?So that leaderscanact. Ihaveyet toobserveaneffective leaderwhodidnot take initiative. Ifyou leadother people, it is your responsibility to look for problems and solutions, toconnect with people and get to know them, to gather a team and move itforward.Thesethingsdonothappenontheirown.

3.LeadersKnowtoAppealtotheWholePersonAbigailwaswiseenough toappeal toDavid’sheart,mind, andeven stomach.She knew he was angry and hungry. She gave him food, knowing she wasaddressinghisphysicalneedsandthoseofhiswarriors.Butshealsoknewsheneededtohelphimfeeltherightemotions.Insteadofanger,shewantedhimtofeelcompassion.Byhumblingherself,shehelpedhimcalmdownandconnectedwith him. That made it possible for her to appeal to his common sense, hisvalues, andhis heart forGod.She alsopainted apictureof abetter future forhim.It’samasterclassincommunication.HowcouldDavidresist?

Whenyoucommunicatewiththepeopleyoudesiretolead,youneedtotreatthem ina similarway.Payattention to theirphysicalneeds.Can they seeandhear you? Are they hungry or uncomfortable? Do they need a break? (Nocommunicatorcansuccessfullycompeteagainsturgentphysicalneeds.)Iftherearenophysicalobstacles,thenworktoconnectwiththem.Appealtotheirheartsfirst,thentheirminds,values,andinterests.Showthemawaytoabetterfutureforthemselves,andnotonlywilltheybeopentowhatyouhavetosay;theymaybeinspired.

4.LeadersMustBeBoldAbigail was humble when she confronted David, but she wasn’t timid. Sheaddressedhimboldly,challengedhis thinking,andofferedhimadifferentandbetter path. That took guts. David was a mighty warrior and God’s anointedleader.Abigailhadnostatusatall.Yetshespokeclearlyandboldly.Andthatmade the difference.Howmany lives did she save in the process?David hadvowed,“MayGoddohisworsttomeifNabalandeverycurinhismisbegottenbroodaren’tdeadmeatbymorning!”23

Sometimes the only thing standing between people and tragedy is theboldnessofaleader.Ifyouhavetheresponsibilityofleadership,thenbewillingtostepupandtakeboldaction,notforpersonalgainorglory,butforthesakeofthepeopleyoulead.

You may be like Abigail. You may be an exceptional leader who has goneunrecognized. Or you may be someone who possesses no status or officialauthority. Do not let that stop you from doing the right thing. Neverunderestimate thepowerofonesmallact.Exercise thewisdomGodhasgivenyoubyputtingitintoaction.There’snotellingwhatGodmaydowithit.

WomantoWoman

Whenever I read the storyofAbigail, I’malways amazedbyhow she responded to thefoolishnessofherhusband.Sherepeatedlyfoundherselfdealingwithhisselfishness,withnoway to change his heart. It was a delicate balance to honor him as her husband, withoutdisobeying the Lord. If anyone could have felt like taking revenge,Abigail could.And shecouldhaveeasilyconspiredwithDavidtokillherhusband,butthatwouldnothavebeenright.

InsteadofwallowinginthemiserycreatedbyNabal,shetookaction.Abigail laboredinthekitchen andprepareddelicious food,which she immediately sent aheadofher toDavid.SheknewthatDavidandhismenwerestarvingandthatthiswasfuelinghisrageagainstherhusband.Thesolutionshefoundinvolvedherworkingwithherhandsinthekitchen,usingthebountiful resourcesGodhadalreadyblessedherhusbandwith.AbigailknewGodcouldusethisfoodtohelpDavidseebeyondhisangerandregainsomeeternalperspective.

The lesson I learn fromAbigail as awoman is thatwisdom is only as powerful as thegentleactionthatfollowsit.EvenwhentheworldpullsmeindirectionsthatgoagainstGod’splan,Icanworktobeapeacemaker.IshouldneverhesitatetodeliveramessageoftruthwhenI canpackage itwith love andgrace. Instead eachofus can serveupagenerousportionofwisdomthatwillleaveeveryonewantingseconds.

—ElisabethMaxwell

QuestionsforReflectionorDiscussionTolearnmoreaboutAbigail,read1Samuel25:2–42,27:3,and30:5,2Samuel2:2and3:3,and1Chronicles3:1.

1.WhydoyouthinkAbigailwasabletosoquicklyprocessthenewstheyoungshepherdgaveherandmakethedifficultdecisionofwhattodo?

2.Howquicklyareyouabletoprocessinformationandmakedecisionsunderpressure?

3.Whenyoufindyourselfinwhatfeelslikeano-winsituation,asAbigaildidinhermarriagetoafoolishandbadman,howdoyounaturallytendtorespond?

4.Haveyoueverbeeninasituationwhereyoucouldseecertaindisastercoming?Whatdidyoudo?Whatwastheoutcome?

5.Canyoupointtoapivotaldecisionandactioninyourlifethatchangedyourdirectionordestiny?Whatbroughtyoutothatdecision?

6.Howdidyourlifechangeafterward?7.IsthereadecisionyoubelieveGodiscurrentlyaskingyoutomake?What

wisdomareyouseekingfromGodandmaturefellowbelievers?

MIRIAM

Don’tLetComparisonRobYouofYourJoy

We walk along the street in the direction Abigail indicated. It seems to runperfectly straight, and it stretchesout as far as the eye can see. Iwonderhowlongitis.AndwhatdidAbigailmeanwhenshesaidwewouldknowtheplacewhenwesawit?

Irememberhearingabout thestreetsofgold inheavenwhenIwasachild.Myfather,Melvin,preachedabout themonce.Butas it turnsout, thisstreet ismadeof stone—thesamematerial thebridgewasmadeof.Only thebuildingsare gold.Aswewalk along,we have time to look at them.There seem to bestructures of every shape, size, and style.Georgianmansions next to pagodasnext tomodern geometricmarvels next to brownstones next to cabins next tohaciendasnexttostructuresthatlookliketheywereinspiredbytents.

I slow down so that I can take them in as we pass by, and I can’t helpthinkingthatIwishMargaretwerewithmesoshecouldenjoythemtoo.

Afterwe’vewalkedformaybefifteenortwentyminutes,wenoticethatthereissomekindofagapinthehousesupaheadontheleft.Aswegetcloser,weseethattheopeningiswide.Whenwegettherewediscoverthatitisonesideofalargesquarelaidout likeapark.Theother threesidesare linedwithmansionsthatoverlookthepark.

The area is filledwith lush and colorful flower beds laid out in geometricshapes. Lowminiature hedges,maybe a foot and a half tall, divide the areas.Stone-pavedpathscrisscrosstheparkamongtheflowerbeds.

Inthecenteroftheparkisacircleofdatepalmtrees.Withinthecircleisaroundraisedpoolperhapsahundredfeetacrosswithalowstonewallencirclingit.Inthecenterofthepoolstandsalargefountainwithwatercascadingdownit.

Scatteredhere and there in the pool are plantswith vibrant blue flowers.Thismustbetheplace.

Thesoundof thewaterflowingfromthefountainintothepool issoothing,anditdrawsusin.Aswegetclosertothepoolwecanseethatthereisawidestonewalkwaybetweenthepalmtreesandthepoolsopeoplecanwalkaroundit.Andtherearebencheseveryfewyards.

Theparkseemstobedeserted.Aswepassbythepool,wecanseethattheblueflowersgrowinginthewaterarelotuses.

Sittingonabenchoverlookingthepoolisawoman.Sheisdressedinashortwhitelinensleevelesstunicthatgoesupoveroneshoulder.Aroundherwaistisa green sash. Around her upper right arm is a gold band studded with greenstones.Shewears largegoldhoopearrings.Herskinisdeeplytanned, likeshehasspentmuchtimeinthesun.

“Welcome,” she says aswe approach. “Come and sitwithme.”We sit oneithersideofher.“Icomehereoften,”shesays.“It’sveryfamiliar:thegardens,the palm trees, the lotus blossoms. The smells bring back memories of mychildhood.” I breathe in deeply.The air iswarm and dry, and I can smell thesweetscentoftheflowers.ItstirsvaguememoriesofatripMargaretandItooktotheMiddleEast.

“What was your childhood like?” she asks. “I was the oldest child in myfamily, with two younger brothers. My name is Miriam, and my youngerbrothersareAaronandMoses.”

Miriam! I try to imagine what it would be like to have Moses as a kidbrother.

“Igrewupasaslave,”shesays,“solifewashard.Butwehadourmoments.My parentswere very loving, but theywere usually so tiredwhen they camehomethatItookcareofthemmorethantheytookcareofme.Iusedtosingforthemtocheerthemup.AndIsangforMosesallthetimewhenhewasababy—afterwegothimback.Motherputhiminabasket in the riverwhenhewasababy, but when Pharaoh’s daughter found him, she adopted him. I was veryproudthat itwasIwhoarrangedforMother tobe theone tonurseMosesandtakecareofhimuntilhewasweaned.Truthbetold,itwasIwhokeptthefamilytogether in thoseearlyyears. I tookcareof thehouse. Iwasalso theonewhotookcareofAaronwhenhewaslittle.AndthetimewhenMothertookcareofMoses, before he went to live in the palace, that was a special time for ourfamilybecausewewerealltogetherandMotherdidnothavetolaborinthehotsun.”

Miriamsitssilentlyforafewmoments.Sheseemstobethinking.“Iwastheoldersister,theoneeveryonecoulddependon.ItwasaroleIloved.Itgavemegreatsatisfactiontotakecareofeveryone.Butthenlater,afterMosescamebackfromexileandtookallofusoutofEgypt,everythingchanged.IfeltlikeI’dlostmyplaceinthefamily,anditmademeunhappy.Iguesssomepeoplejusthavetolearntheirlessonsthehardway,andI’moneofthem.Butyoudon’thaveto.You can learn from my mistakes,” she says with intensity. “Don’t letcomparisonrobyouofyourjoy.”

LetGodBetheJudge“It’sdifficultwhenyougofrombeingaleaderthatothersadmiretobeinginthebackground.Allmy life I had been a leader.Aaronwas a people pleaser thatother people could sway thisway and that.AndMoses had been gone a longtimebeforehe returned to leadusoutofEgypt.Whenhe first returned, Iwasecstatic.Godhadfinallyansweredourprayers.Wewerefree.AndthedayGoddrowned the Egyptian armies at the bottom of the Red Sea was one of thegreatestdaysofourpeople.InthosemomentsGodspoketomeandIcouldnotcontainmyself.IfeltcompelledtosingHispraises.Thewordsflowedfromme,likeGodHimselfhadgiventhemtome.AnditfeltlikeallthewomenofIsraeljoinedmeandsangalongtocelebrateGod’sgoodness.Itwasoneofthegreatestmomentsofmylife.

“But that sense of joy didn’t stay with me all the time. I often feltdiscontented.IstartedtocomparemyselftoMoses.Iwasaprophettoo.Godhadspokentome.Whywashegettingalltheattention?ItwaslikeanegativeseedthathadbeenplantedinmethatIwateredandencouragedtogrowinmysoul.And that’s when my problems began. If you compare yourself to others, thesamekindsofproblemswilloccurforyou.”

“ComparisonMakesYouDelightinFindingFaultinOthers”“AsIcomparedmyselftomyyoungerbrotherandfoundmyselffallingshort,itate at me. Comparison turned into jealousy. Jealously led to discontentment.ThatfueledmyangerandmademyattitudeevenmorenegativeuntilIbecamebitter.

“SoIbeganlookingforthingstocriticizemybrotherfor.ButMoses’stimein exile had humbled him.Whatever pride he’d once possessedwas gone.Hehadbecomesoft-spokenandgentle.AnditseemedthatwhateverGodaskedhimtodo,hedid.

“I’mashamedtosaythatwhenIcouldn’tfindanythinglegitimatetocriticizeinhim, Istartedgraspingatstraws.Thebest Icouldcomeupwithwas tosaysomethingspitefulabouthiswifenotbeingan Israelite,becauseshewas fromCush.Whenyouseeyourselfinabadlight,yougooutofyourwaytofindfaultinothers.”

“ComparisonDrivesYoutoSeekPositiveAttentionforYourself”“Comparing ourselves to others is a no-win activity. There are always peopleless talentedor favored thanus.Whenwecompareourselves to them,we feelsuperior. There are also people more talented and blessed than us.When wecompareourselvestothem,wefeelinferior.Ineithercasethecomparisonmakesusseekaffirmationandattentionfromothers.

“Godblessedmewithmusicalability.Healsomademeaprophet.ButwhenI compared myself to Moses, that didn’t seem like enough. I wanted to berecognized. So I started to complain tomyother brother,Aaron. I pulled himintomydiscontentment.ThatdidnotpleaseGod,soHestruckmewithleprosy.”

“ComparisonDamagesYourRelationshipwithOthers”“Even after Iwas so petty and negative aboutMoses, he still intercededwithGod for me. That just mademe feel worse. He was in the right while I wasclearly in thewrong,yethe still lovedmeandbeggedGod tohealme,whichGod did. But the truth is that even though Moses still loved me, I think healwayswonderedafterthatifhecouldtrustmefully.Ialwaysregrettedthat.”

“ComparisonUnderminesYourUsefulnesstoGod”“The bottom line is that when you long for the gifts, favor, position, oropportunitiesofsomeoneelse,itdistractsyoufromthegifts,favor,position,andopportunities that God has given you. God wanted to use me, but I was sodistracted fromwhat I could do that I never fully reachedmy potential. Andjealousykilledmy joy.Don’t fall into that trap.Don’t allow that tohappen toyou.”

LifeLessonsfromMiriamMiriam’srecollectionofthattimeseemedtocloudherexpression.Perhapsfromtheperspectiveofheavenitwaspainfulforhertorememberthefoolishnessandshortsightednessshedisplayedwhenshewasonearth.Ifthatwasthecase,themomentseemstohavepassed,becauseshesmilesatus, theworrylinesinherfacetransformingintolaughlines.

“Mylossisyourgain,”shesays,pattinguseachonthearminturn.“Herearefourthingsyoucanlearnfrommyexperience.”

“JustBecauseYouAreCapableDoesn’tMeanYouAreCalled”“Godgivesmany skills and talents.Hegives them to everyhumanbeing intowhichHebreatheslife.Someofthosetalentsaregreater,somelesser.Sometapintoyourpassion; somedon’t.Some leadyou straight toyourpurpose;othersleadyouastray.Youhavetomakechoices.Justbecauseyouseesomethingyoucoulddodoesnotautomaticallymeanit issomethingyoushoulddo.Don’t letthe desire to do something you could dowell prevent you from doingwhat’sreallybest.”

“YouShouldCompareYourselftoOnlyOnePerson”“FormuchofmylifeIcomparedmyselftootherpeople.Icomparedmyselftomymother. I comparedmyself to the other girls who lived nearmy home. Icomparedmyselftootheryoungwomeninthecommunity.AndofcourseIalsocomparedmyselftomybrothers.Everyoneofthosecomparisonswaswrong.

“WhomshouldIhavecomparedmyselfto?Me.Theonlyworthycomparisonpeople can make is between who they are and who God created them to be.Thereare twofantastic thingsabout that.First,Goddoesn’tcondemnuswhenwe fall short. And second, He has given us the tools to actually become thatperson.Wesimplyneedtokeepworkingatittogetthere.”

“YouMustTrytoFindContentmentintheRoleGodHasGivenYou”“When I spoke out againstMoses with Aaron, it was because I felt I wasn’tgettingenoughcreditformyroleasoneofIsrael’sleaders.WhenGodrebukedme,Hiswordsexposedmyjealousy.Godsaid,

ListencarefullytowhatI’mtellingyou.If there isaprophetofGODamongyou, Imakemyselfknowntohiminvisions,Ispeaktohimindreams.ButIdon’tdoitthatwaywithmyservantMoses;hehastherunofmyentirehouse;Ispeaktohimintimately,inperson,inplaintalkwithoutriddles:HeponderstheveryformofGOD.Sowhydidyoushownoreverenceorrespect inspeakingagainstmyservant,againstMoses?24

“MoseshadwhatIwanted.Goddidspeaktomeindreams.ButIwantedtheintimacyGodhadgivenmybrother.

“YouknowwhatroleGodhasgivenyou.Youknowyourgifts—oratleastIhopeyoudo.Becontentwiththoseandmakethemostofthem.Don’tgotoyourgravewishingyouweresomeoneelse.”

“YouCanChangeaBadAttitudebyCultivatingGratitude”“I learnedmylesson inHazeroth.Afterbeingstruckwith leprosy, Ihadsevendays inquarantineoutsideof the camp to thinkaboutwhat I haddone.And ImadethedeterminationthatIwouldneveragainallowjealousytoovertakeme.Whenever I was tempted, I didn’t allowmyself to start comparing myself toothers.InsteadImadeaninventoryofallthewonderfulthingsGodwasdoinginmylifeandofallthethingsHehadgivenme.

“Youknow,that’swhyGodkepttellingHispeopletorememberwhatHe’ddoneforthem.It’swhyHeaskedourdescendantstorememberthestoryofme,mybrothers,andallthepeopleGoddeliveredoutofEgypt.Heknewthatifweremembered, we would be grateful. And when you’re grateful, you becomesomeoneGodiscapableofusingformankind’sbenefitandforGod’sglory.”

ThePrayerofMiriamAswelistentoMiriam,Iamremindedthatlife’sgreatestlessonsaretaughttousby our failures and losses. Success has its own lessons, but often they aredifficult to see.Failure’s lessons aremuch easier to find—as long aswehavecourageenoughtolookforthem.

“Godhasbeen sokind tome,” saysMiriam,“that Iwould like topray foryou.

“MercifulHeavenlyFather,“You formed each of us in ourmothers’wombs, andYou knew even

beforewewerebornwhatYoumadeus capableof.Youknowwhatmyfriendscando.Youknowwhattheywilldo.AndYouarenotdisappointedwiththem.Teachthemnottocomparethemselvestoanyoneelse.Releasethem from any past pains or shortcomings, as You did withme. Teachthem to live for Your glory, and keep themselves focused entirely uponYou.Amen.”

Whenweopenoureyes,Miriamissilent.Whensherealizeswearewatchingher,shesmiles.

LeadershipLessonsfromMiriam“Yournextappointmentiswithsomeoneveryspecial.Sheisalreadywaitingforyouuponthenextlevelofthecity.Ifyoulookatthehousesoveronthatsideofthe park,” she says, pointing to the side opposite the streetwherewe entered,“youwillfindastaircase.Goupit,andyouwillfindherthere.”

Miriamstands.“Youarewelcometosithereaslongasyoulike,butImustgo.Good-bye.”Sheturnsawayandwalksbackinthedirectionfromwhichwecame.Nowthatwe’renotfocusedonher,wecansimplysitandenjoytheviewand the peaceful atmosphere.We also take time to think about the leadershiplessonswecanlearnfromMiriam’sexperience.

1.RecognizeThatAllLeadersAreNotCreatedEqualWe live in a culturewhere people say they value fairness.But have you evernoticedthatpeoplearemorevocalwhenaskingotherstoraisethemupandlessvocalabouthowtheyshouldmakepersonalsacrificestohelpthosewhoarelessprivilegedthantheyare?Iguesswhatthatreallymeansisthattheywantfairnessmostwhenitistotheiradvantage.

ButGodneverpromisedtobefairwithus.That’sactuallyagoodthing,sinceallofusfallshortofthegloryofGodanddeservetobecondemned.InsteadGodoffersusgrace.AndHegivesusachance tomakeadifferencewithwhateverHehasgivenus.

Theparableofthetalentssayssomepeoplehavefivetalents,otherstwo,andsomeone.Goddoesnotgivegiftsequally.Weneedtorespectthat.GodchosetomeetwithMosesface-to-faceandtospeakdirectlytohim—andnottotheotherprophets.ForMosesthatwasagreatprivilege—andaweightyresponsibility.

WhatevergiftsGodhasgivenyouareaprivilegeandaresponsibility.Treatthem accordingly.And don’tworry aboutwhether they aremore or less thananother leader’s.That’sGod’sbusiness,notyours.He’snotcomparingyou tothem,soneithershouldyou.

2.UnderstandThatLeadershipIsaPrivilegeandaTrustTalentedpeople, especially talented leaders, canbegin to thinkof their roleorpositionasa right.That isnever thecase. Ifyouhavebeengivena leadershiprole,Godhasgivenittoyouforthesakeofothers,notforyourself.Miriamlostsight of that for a time.Godused hermightilywhenMoseswas a baby.Godused her again to lead others in worshipping God. At those times she actedselflessly.Butwhenshebecamejealous,shewasthinkingofherself,notothers.

Whatever influence you possess, use it wisely. Hold your leadership roleloosely. It’snotyours foryourbenefit. It’sa trustGodhasgivenyou toserveothers.Servethemwell.

3.LearntoCelebrateOtherLeaders’SuccessesMiriamhadadifficulttimecelebratingMoses’sloftyroleinGod’splanforHispeople,butshewasnottheonlyonepronetojealousy.Immediatelybeforetheincident inwhichMiriamwasstruckwithleprosy,God’sSpiritcamedownonsomeof the elders around the tent ofmeeting,whobeganprophesying.Whentwo other men who had stayed in the camp also began prophesying, it upsetsomeofthepeople,includingJoshua.Scripturesays,

Joshua son ofNun,who had beenMoses’s right-handman since hisyouth,said,“Moses,master!Stopthem!”ButMosessaid,“Areyoujealousforme?WouldthatallGOD’speople

wereprophets.WouldthatGODwouldputhisSpiritonallofthem.”25

As leaders we are often naturally competitive. We like winning. But thatdoesn’tgiveuspermissiontotearothersdown.WilliamPennsaid,“Thejealousaretroublesometoothers,butatormenttothemselves.”TrytorememberthatallleadersservingGodareonthesameteam.Whenothersaresuccessful,celebrate.TheirsuccesspointstoGod’sworthiness,notyourshortcomings.

Ittakesasecurepersontocelebratewhenotherswin.Ittakesagratefulpersontobe content with whom God has made him or her to be. Miriam is a goodreminderofthat.Herchangeofheartisagreatlessontous.

WomantoWoman

WhatIfindfascinatingaboutMiriamisthatshebecameenviousinspiteofall thewaysGodhadalreadyusedher.GodhadchosenMiriamforwonderfulroles—fromprotectorofherbaby brother on the Nile River to prophetess singing praises to God after all the IsraelitescrossedtheRedSeaintheirescapefromEgypt.Shewasbrave,dedicated,anddetermined.

Miriamdidamazingthings—untilshelostherfocusonwhatGodhadcalledher to,andstarted to focus on what Moses got to do. It took leprosy to snap her out of her wrongperspective.IguessyoucouldsaythatwasGod’sattitudeimprovementplanforMiriam!Butshe did finally learn the lesson. It’s a lesson thatGod desires all of us to learn:God has aspecialpurposeandplanforeverywoman.

WeareallgivenauniquepurposebyGod.YouandImuststaydisciplinedandfocusedonthis plan for us individually, and not let our thoughts stray to the plansGod has for others.Miriam’sstoryremindsmethatIneedtolooktoGod,notothers,formyworthandpurpose.

—TrishThrockmorton

QuestionsforReflectionorDiscussionTo learnmoreaboutMiriam, readExodus2:7–8and15:20–21,Numbers12:1and20:1-16,1Chronicles6:3,andMicah6:4.

1.WhydoyouthinkMiriamstartedcomparingherselftoMosesandgettingangry?

2.Whenyouweregrowingup,didyouoftengetcomparedtosomeoneelse?Howdiditmakeyoufeel?

3.Areyounaturallymoreinclinedtocompareyourselftopeoplewhoaremoretalentedthanyou,thusmakingyourselffeelinadequate,ortopeoplelesstalentedinanattempttovalidateyourself?

4.Whenyoudon’tfeellikeyou’regettingproperrecognitionforyourskillsorcontributions,howdoyourespond?

5.Whendoyoufinditeasytocelebratethesuccessesofothers,andwhendoyoufinditdifficult?Explainwhy.

6.Canyouthinkofatimewhenyoumissedagreatopportunitybecause,insteadofappreciatingthegiftsandskillsyouhad,youwerefocusedonwantingtodosomethingyouwerelesssuitedfor?Explain.

7.WhatGod-givenskillorabilitydoyoupossessthatyoutakeforgranted?HowcanyoubetteruseittoserveothersandglorifyGod?

MARY

Don’tMissYourMomentwithGod

Wewalk past the circular pond and dozens of beautiful flower beds, and weheadfor themiddleof thefarsideof thepark.Therebetween twohouses isastaircase,justasMiriamsaidtherewouldbe.OnceagainIamsurprised,becausethe stairs aremade of yet another kind of stone. This time it is a clear vividgreen.It lookslikeemerald.Notonlythestair treadsandrisersaremadeofit,butalsothewalls—liketheentirepassagewayhasbeencutintoagiantpieceofemerald.

We step onto the staircase and begin climbing. As we move up slowly, Igrasp thehandrail thathasbeencarved into thestonealong thewall. I runmyhandalongitanddiscoverthatit’sperfectlysmooth.Ican’tdetectasinglejoint,crack,orflaw.

Weclimbquitealongtime,andmykneesbegintoache.I’msurprisedthatthere are noobvious stoppingpoints or landings along thewaywherewe canrest.Iguessthenewbodiespeoplereceiveinheavendon’tfatiguethewayoursdo,andthestairwayisbuiltforthem.Istoptocatchmybreathmorethanonce.

Whenwearriveat the topof thestairway,wefindourselvesonadifferentkindof street from theoneat the levelbelow.Where the last streetwas long,level,andperfectlystraight,thisoneisnarrowandwinding.Totheleftthestreetslopesdownward. In theotherdirection it slopesgentlyupward.Wecan’t seetoofarineitherdirectionbecausethestreetcurves.

Onthepreviouslevel,therewasspacebetweenthebuildingsthatfrontedtheroad,andmanyhadyardsorgardensinfrontofthem.Thisstreetlooksnothinglikethat.Thefrontsofthebuildingsarerightonthenarrowroad,andtheyareattached to one another so that they have the feel of one long continuous

building.ItremindsmeofthestreetsintheOldCityofJerusalem.Peoplepassbyonthestreetinbothdirections.Theyseemtobepurposeful,

but not hurried.Standing in themiddle of the street, like a stone in a river ofrushingwater, isasmallwomandressedinpaleblue.Herlongcloakis tiedatthewaistwithawhite sash.Herheadcovering seems tobemadeof the samewhitefabric.

Everyoneseemscarefulnot to run intoher.Somemen tip theirhats.Otherpeoplebow.Allofthem,itseems,acknowledgeherinsomeway.Iwonderwhocommandsthiskindofrespectandattention.

Althoughshe returnspeople’sgreetings, the focusofhergaze isclearlyonus.Whenwemake eye contactwith her, she smiles and beckons uswith herhand.

“Hello,myfriends,”shesaysasweapproach.“Let’swalktogether.”Thewomanleadsusupthecurvedstreetformaybeahundredyards,untilwe

seeaverysmallpassagetotheleft.Wetakeitandimmediatelyweareoutofthemainflowofpeople.Thepathwaywe’reonisslopedupwardandwindstoandfro.

“This is better,” she says as we walk slowly together. “People are alwayswantingtogreetmeortalktome,butIdon’tthinkwe’llbeinterruptedquiteasmuchhere.”

“Whoareyou?”Iask.“Mary,”sheanswers.“Jesus’smother.”Nowonder, I think.That’swhyeveryone is sodeferential toher.Shegave

birthtoandtookcareoftheSavioroftheworld,GodHimselfinhumanflesh.“Therearetimesinthelifeofeveryperson,”Marysaysaswewalkslowly,

“whenGod revealsHimself and asks thatwe do something. That is a specialGodmoment,sotakeheed:Don’tmissyourmomentwithGod.”

IntheMoment“ThatspecialmomentoccurredformewhentheangelGabrielappearedtome.Believeme,itcameasatotalsurprisetome.Iwasanordinarygirl.Igrewupinan ordinary home with two ordinary parents. It’s true that I loved God andwanted to please Him, but I don’t think I was any different frommost otherpeopleinIsrael.

“Itwasaveryspecial timeforme.”Marypausesassheseemstorecall thedaysofheryouth.“IhadjustenteredmyengagementperiodwithJoseph.Iwassoexcitedthatwewouldsoonbemarried.Josephwasakindman,andhehadagoodtrade,soIknewhewouldprovideforus.IwaslookingforwardtosettingupahouseholdinNazarethwithhim,andmymotherwashelpingmewiththepreparations. Our new life together was about to begin, and I hoped that wewouldsoonhaveahousefullofchildren.

“I almost fainted when Gabriel appeared to me. I could tell he wasn’t anordinaryman.Ontopofthat,thiswashisgreetingtome:

Goodmorning!You’rebeautifulwithGod’sbeauty,Beautifulinsideandout!Godbewithyou.26

“Icouldtellbythewordsheusedandbythewayhesaidthemthathewasabout to say something important to me, so I heldmy breath in anticipation.Whenhesaid, ‘Youwillbecomepregnantandgivebirth toa sonandcallhisnameJesus,’27IwasconfusedbecauseIwasavirgin.Irememberthinking,

“Whatwillmyfriendsandfamilythink?TheywillbelievethatJosephandIslepttogetherbeforebeingmarried.“WhatwillJosephthink?HewillbelieveI’vebeenunfaithfulandslept

withanotherman.Hemayrejectmeforever.“Whatwillthereligiousauthoritiesthink?Theymaydragmeoutinto

thestreetandcondemnmetodeathbystoning!

“Then when he said my child would be called the Son of God, my head

startedspinning.Iwasterrified.“In that moment I felt like time stopped. I could feel the weight of the

decisionIneededtomake,andIcouldtellthatitwasinmypowertosaynoifIwantedto.Morequestionsrushedintomyhead:WouldIbecapableofrisingtothis challenge?What would it cost me personally?What would this differentfuturelooklike?WhatifIfailed?WhatifIwascrazyandthismessagewasn’treallyfromGod?

“Doubtsfilledmymind.IcouldthinkofdozensofreasonstosaynotoGod.ButmyhearttoldmetosayyesbecauseIlovedHim.Soinspiteofmyfears,mydoubts, my questions about the future, I said yes. I didn’t know how thingswouldturnout,butIputmyselfintothehandsofGodanywaybecauseItrustedHim.”

TheCrucibleItrytoimaginewhatitmusthavebeenliketobeayoungteenagegirllivinginaculturewherewomen had no voice, andwhere being unmarried and pregnantwasacrimepunishablebydeath.Alltheoddswereagainsther,yetshesaidyes.ThatmomentwasacruciblethatmadeclearwhatherrelationshipwithGodwas.Her encounter had characteristics that I believe can teach us about Godmoments:

TheyareinitiatedbyGod,notus.Marydidn’taskfortheexperienceshereceived.Norcouldshehavecreateditonherown.OnlyGodcoulddoit.That’salwaystrue.Theyareunanticipated.NotonlydidMarynotaskfortheexperience,shewastotallysurprisedbyit.ThisisalsoalwaystrueoftheseGodmoments.TheyareconnectedtoGod’sfavor.ItwasagreatprivilegeforMarytobechosenforthistask.It’saprivilegeanytimeGodchoosesoneofustohelpfulfillHispurpose.They offer insights fromGod.Gabriel toldMary things about her futurethat she could not know. Encounters with God give us glimpses ofunderstanding.Theyarenotunderstood.It’sironic,buteventhoughGodrevealsthingstous,weusuallydon’tknowwhattheymean.Thiswasthecaseevenforthedisciples,whoheardthingsfromJesusHimself,yetdidn’tgetit.Theyaresupernatural.Mary’smomentwasdramaticbecauseGodsentanangeltospeaktoher.OurencounterswithGodmaynotincludeangels,butthatdoesn’tmakethemanylesssupernatural.Theyrequireustosayyes.WhenGodinvitesusintowhatHe’sdoing,Heis giving us a chance to partner with Him. But we must say yes to thepartnership.They change your life and the lives of others. When God gives us aninvitationandwechoosetoacceptit,nothinginourliveswilleverbethesame again. Neither will the lives of the other people affected by ourdecision.

Godmomentsalwaysputusoffbalance.Theyoverwhelmus.Theydisruptour lives. Theymake us uncomfortable.Howmany times have I been certain

Godwasspeakingtome,yetdidn’tsayyestoHim?WheneverwearewillingtotrustGodand sayyes toHim,our lives takeonnewmeaninganddirection. Idon’twanttomissthat.

LifeLessonsfromMaryI wonder what Mary’s life would have been like if she had said no to Godinsteadofsaying,“I’mtheLord’smaid,readytoserve.Letitbewithmejustasyousay.”28WouldJesushavebeenborntoanotheryoungwomaninNazareth?WouldHe still have been a carpenter?WouldMary have still recognized thatJesuswastheSonofGod?There’snowaytoknow.

Mymindisracing,butmyattentionisbroughtbacktoMaryasshebeginstospeakoncemore.

“YouWereCreatedtoBeaVesselfortheImpossible”“Youare,I’mafraid,atalittlebitofadisadvantagebecauseyouliveinatimewhenpeoplevaluefactsmorethantheydotruth.IthinkthatcausesmanypeopletomisunderstandGodandwhatHedesiresforHispeople.Wewerenotcreatedfor mundane lives. We were created to be extraordinary. We are God’sinstrumentsofimpossibility.

“What may be an impossibility for us is merely an opportunity for God.MiracleshappenwhenourwillingnesstoserveGodintersectswithHisrevealedplan.Knowingthatshouldchangeyourapproachtoeveryyear,everyday,everyminutethatyoulive.”

“WhenYourMomentComes,SayYesandLetGodFigureOuttheRest”“If youwantGod to do the impossible in your life, you cannot allow fear tocloudyourviewofGodandwhatHecando.Yourhopemustweighmorethanyourquestions.Yourtrustmustbegreaterthanyourdoubt.

“WhenGodinvitesyoutodosomethingforHim,don’ttrytofigureouthowGodwillfulfillHispurpose.Itisawasteoftime.ThesolutionisGod’sproblem.Besides, God loves to surprise us. He’s creative. He does things we can’timagine in ourwildest dreams. Say yes, and thenwatch howHeworks it allout.”

“IfYou’veAlreadyMissedOneGodMoment,BeReadyfortheNextOne”“Maybe you’ve heard fromGod, as I did, but you didn’t say yes.Maybe youknewyoushoulddosomething,yetyoutalkedyourselfoutof it.OryoufeltachallengefromGodtoact,butyouweretooafraidorlazytofollowthrough.IbelieveallofushaveGodmomentswhenwefallshortofGod’sinvitation.

“Ifthatistrueforyou,letitgo.Godismercifulandkind.Don’twasteyourenergy looking backward. Don’t get bogged down in regret. Instead lookforward.Makeyourselfreadyforthenextopportunity,foralmostcertainlyGodwillgiveyouanotherone.AskGodtomakeitcleartoyouwhenHenextspeaksso that you recognize the moment for what it is. And resolve to say yes, nomatterhowmanyquestionsordoubtsyoumayhave.”

“YourYesWillOpentheDoorforGod’sBestIfYouLetIt”“Youwillnever regret sayingyes toGod. It’s true thatwhenGodgivesusanopportunity to sayyes toHim,wecan seeall the reasons to sayno.All thosenegativeideascanbeoverwhelming.Butyouneedtounderstandsomething:thereasonstosayyesareusuallyhidden.Therearemorereasonstosayyesthantosayno,butyoucan’tseethematthattime.Onlyafterwesayyesareweabletoseethem.

“We just need to have faith that God’s best always comes after we areobedienttoHim.Andwhat’sreallyfantasticisthatobedienceandawillingnesstosayyescanbecomethehallmarkofyourlife.”

Thosewordsmakeastrongimpressiononus.WhenIthinkabouthowMaryhadtomakethisbigdecisionwhenshewasonlyagirl,itcausesmetomarvel.Butwhenyoulookather later inher life,youseethatsameattitude.Itcomesout in the story of the wedding banquet in Cana. Mary asks Jesus to dosomethingwhentheguestsrunoutofwine,butJesusisreluctanttoactbecauseitisnotHistime.Marysolvestheproblembytellingtheservants,“Whateverhetellsyou,doit.”29Ofcourseshewouldsaythat.Thatphrasecouldbethethemeofherlife.AppreciatingMary’sfaithandseeingtheservantsfillingseverallargevesselswithwater,Jesusturnsthewater intowine.OnceagainMary’strust inGodhelpedherseizethemoment.

ThePrayerofMaryWhenMarywastalkingtous,herfaithwassodeepandherquietconfidencesostrong that she almost seemedphysically larger than she actually is.Now thatshe’squiet,sheseemssmalleragainandratherordinary.Buteverythingchangesagainwhenshestartstoprayaswecontinuetowalk:“MyFaithfulLordandMaster,“Iboldly request thatYouspeak to thesedear servantsofYours.Ask

big thingsof them.Makethemuncomfortable.Stretch theminways thattheyhavenoideaYoucan.Andgivethemthewill,theheart,andthefaithtosayawholeheartedyestoYouwheneverYouask.Maytheirobediencechangenotonlythem,buttheworld.Amen.”Thepowerandconfidenceofherwordsareamazing—butnotsurprising.

Howcoulditbeotherwise?HerjourneywithJesusbeganwithayestoGod,andthenshewasaneyewitnesstonearlyeverythingHedid.

Momentsaftershefinishestheprayer,wecometotheendofthenarrowstreetwe’vebeenwalkingonandarriveatanintersectionwithanotherroad.Thepathwaywe’vebeenoniswinding,anditturnedbackandforthsomanytimesthatI’velostallsenseofdirection.I’msurprisedtoseethatweareattheedgeofaforest.

“Walkthiswayintothewoods,”saysMary,indicatingthatwegototheleft.“You’llfindthenextpersonwhowantstomeetwithyouthere.”

LeadershipLessonsfromMaryWewatchasMarywalksawayintheotherdirection.Againshelookssmallandordinary. Ifwehadn’tmether andheardher speak,wewouldhave little ideahowstrongandsignificantapersonsheis.Sheisagreatreminderthat leaderscome in all shapes and sizes. Some are like Saul: they impress us, they arephysicallyimposing,andtheypossessacommandingpresencewhentheywalkinto a room. Others are like Mary, whose ordinary appearance hides a deep,quietstrength.

Mary’s example remindsme of some important truths about leadership. Ifyouwanttoleadwell,youmust…

1.StayConnectedtoGodMarywas a candidate forGod’s blessing because shewas close toGod.Andduringher lifetime,shestayedclosetoGod—literally,assheraisedJesus.Butshe wasn’t passive as she cared for Him. Luke says that when extraordinarythingshappened,Marytreasuredtheminherheartandponderedthem.30

Nomatter howmuch or how little natural leadership talentGod has givenyou,youcannotgowrongbystayingconnectedtoGod.TheabilitytoknowandfollowHisdirectionalwayshasmuchgreatervaluethananyhumanskill.

2.StayConnectedtoYourPurposeFromthetimebeforeJesuswasevenconceived,Maryknewherpurpose.Itwasher purpose to bear, raise, nurture, and care for the Son of God. Raising anychildisn’teasy.HavingresponsibilityforJesusmusthaveweigheduponMaryheavily.Butsheboreitwithgrace,andshewasfaithfultotheend.

When you have doubts, face difficulties, or need tomake tough decisions,don’tdepartfromyourpurpose.IfyouknowwhyGodhasputyouonearth,usethat knowledge as a touchstone. If you don’t know your purpose, askGod torevealit.Meanwhile,usewhateveryoudoknowtohelpyou.

3.StayConnectedtoPeopleWhoEncourageYouSoon after Mary learned that God was going to use her to do somethingextraordinarybutverydifficult,whatdidshedo?Shewent tospendtimewithher cousinElizabeth,withwhomshewasclose.Elizabethencouragedher andhelpedhergetreadyforwhatlayahead.

IbelievethatJesus’sactionsshowthatHealsorecognizedtheimportanceofencouragement toMary.AsHewasdyingon thecross,HeaskedHisdiscipleJohntotakeHisplacecaringforMary—andwhobetterthanJohn,thediscipleJesus loved, to care for the mother Jesus loved? The more difficult thecircumstances,themoreweneedandbenefitfromtheencouragementofothers.

4.StayConnectedtotheBiggerPictureTheremusthavebeenmanytimeswhenMarywonderedwhatwasgoingonandwhatGodwasdoing,justasshedidthatfirstdaywhenGabrielcametospeakwithher.Sheknewshewas raisingGod’sSon,but shecouldnothaveknownthatHewaspreparingtosacrificeHimselffor theworld’ssin.AsshewatchedHimdyingonthecross,sheonceagainhadtotrustGodandrelyonherfaithinHimforthebiggerpicture.

That’sagoodreminderforusasleaders.Godalwayshasthebiggerpictureinmind.WecantrustHim.Themorewerememberthat,thebetterwecanserveHimwhenwedon’tunderstandwhatwemaybedealingwith.

Mary is an inspiration. She didn’t miss that first God moment, and I have afeelingsheexperiencedmanyothers.HeractionsmakemewanttoseekGod’sfavor,relyonHisdirection,andtrustHimwhenthetimecomes.

WomantoWoman

What I admiremost aboutMary, themother of Jesus, is her humble spirit in acceptingsuchapreciousgift.Thiswassomethingfarbeyondherunderstanding,yetshegracefullytookonthebiggestjobanyonecouldeverhave.Thiswasdespitethefearshemusthavefeltaboutwhatpeoplewouldthinkofher,andtherealpossibilityofbeingstonedtodeathforbecomingpregnantbeforemarriage.Iamimpressedwithherstrengthandcourage,bothemotionallyandphysically. Emotionally, she withstood the gossip that would flood through her town.Physically, she traveled toBethlehemwhileverypregnant,andeven fled toEgypt toescapeHerodsoonafterthebabywasborn.

Marymust have struggledwith anxiety about anunknown future, yet shehad faith thatGod’splanforherlifewasfarbetterthanherown.AlthoughIamsurethatattimesitwashardtotrustthattheLord’swaywasright,shewasobedienttoHim.IcanonlyimaginethejoyshefeltasshewatchedJesusgrowandchangepeople’sliveswithHismiraclesandteaching.I’msure therewasmanyadaywhenshe thought,“What if Ihadsaidno?”Faith isbelieving inthings thatareunseen,andwhatcharacter in theBiblemodels thatbetter than themotherofJesus?

ThelessontobelearnedfromMaryistowholeheartedlytrusttheLord.GodhasamuchbiggerplanformylifethanIhaveformyself.Imaytendtobecomenervousaboutthefuture,butthat’swheremyfaith,courage,andstrengthneedtocomeintokeepmemovingforward.WithoutthehelpoftheLord,Imightcrumbleandfail,butwhenGodisinthepicture,Icanriseabovetheobstaclesofanxietyandfear.Itjusttakesayes.

IwillforeverpictureMaryasaherotoallwomen,whotookonafantasticyetfrighteningchallenge,onethatchangedtheworld.MygoalinlifeistohavethestrengthandcouragethatMaryhadtosayyes.IfIsayyestoGodandletHimworkthroughme,ItoocanchangethisworldforHisglory.

—ElizabethMiller

QuestionsforReflectionorDiscussionTo learnmoreaboutMary, readMatthew1:18–2:23,13:53–57,27:55–61,and28:1–10,Luke1:26–2:29,John19:24–27,andActs1:14.

1.IfyouhadfoundyourselfinMary’ssituation,whereyoubelievedGodwasaskingyoutodosomethingthatcouldturnyourentirelifeupsidedown,howdoyouthinkyouwouldhavereacted?

2.Areyounaturallymoreofadreamer,whohopesfortheimpossible,oraskeptic,whoismorepragmatic?HowdoesthataffectyourrelationshipwithGod?

3.WhendoyoufinditdifficulttotrustGodandwhendoyoufinditeasy?4.WhatdoyoudototrytostayconnectedtoGod?Howwellisitcurrently

workingforyou?5.HaveyoueverexperiencedamomentwhereyoubelieveGodinvitedyouto

dosomethingforHim,butyoudidnotsayyes?Ifso,howhasthataffectedyourlife?

6.Howcanapersonmakehim-orherselfacandidateforaGodmoment?7.IfinthefutureGodinvitesyoutodosomethinguncomfortableorseemingly

impossibleforHim,whatwillyoudotoprocessthatdecision?

MARTHA

WhenJesusIsintheHouse,GiveHimYourFullAttention

Wewalkalongthenarrowroadintotheforest.Theareaisgreenandlush.Thetrees,which are spacedwidely, towerover us.Their roughbark is brownandgray.Ihavetolookuptoseeanybranches.Thecanopyofthetreesissohighthatit’shardtotellwhatkindoftreestheyare,butIthinktheymaybeconifersofsometype.

Except for thepathwaywewalkon, theground iscoveredwithacarpetofthick, tuftygrass. It looks soft and inviting. I’d love to takeoffmy shoes andwalk in it. Scattered here and there over the forest floor are purple andwhitewildflowers.

Thepathwewalkonismadeofjet-blacksquarestoneslaidoutinadiamondpattern.Thegrassstretchingoutoneithersideisbeautifullyunevenandtexturedwithlittlemounds,butthepathissmoothandpreciselylaidout.

Before longwebegin to see houses in among the trees of the forest.Theyappear to be comfortably distant from one another, and the structures, thoughmadeofgold,takemanydifferentformsarchitecturally.Somearecabinsmadeofgolden logs.Othersarehuts.Afewlooklike theycouldhavebeenpluckedoutoftheAmericansuburbs.Eachhasapathorsteppingstonesleadingfromtheroadwewalkuptothefrontdoor.

Justaswestarttohesitateandwonderifwearesupposedtowalkuptooneofthesebuildings,wehearawoman’svoicecalling,“Hello.Comethisway.I’moverhere.”

We look and see a woman dressed in orange about thirty yards away,standinginfrontofasmallbuilding.Sheiswavingatusandsmiling.

Wewalkjustabitlongeralongthenarrowroad,thentakethepathwayonthe

rightthatleadstothebuildingwhereshe’sstanding.Itswallsareintheshapeoffittedstones,andtheroofisflat.ItremindsmeofbuildingsIoncesawinascalemodelofanancientIsraelitetown.Itlooksabitoddsittingbyitselfsurroundedbythickgrassbetweenthetrees.

“Come,come,”thewomansays.“Ihavethingstodiscusswithyou.”Aswearriveshesays,“Sit.Pleasesit.”Sheissittingonalargeblackstone.Wesitonstones near her. “Here,” she says, handing each of us a crystal goblet, “I betyou’re thirsty.Whydon’tyou restamoment?” I takeadrink.Theonlyway IcandescribeitisasthebestdrinkofwaterI’veeverhad.Irelax,andlookatthegrasscloseby.

“Goahead,”shesays.She’stakenmeoffguard.“Goaheadandwhat?”Iask.“Goaheadandwalkinthegrass.Takeoffyourshoes.It’sallright.I’lltake

mineofftoo.”YouandIlookateachother.Whynot?Asthewomaninorangeremovesher

sandals,wetakeoffourshoes.AsItakemyfirststepinthegrassit’sexactlyasIexpectedittobe—coolandsoftandwonderful.Iwiggleandflexmytoes,andIfeelanyfatigueinmylegsfromthewalkingwe’vedonevanishing—it’sflowingfrommelikewatersoakingintotheturf.

“Isn’t it marvelous?” says the woman in orange as she walks through thegrass.“It’soneofthereasonsIlivehere.Ilovewalkinginthegrass,pickingthewildflowers,orsimplysittingandlisteningtothewindmovethebranchesofthetrees.”

Ilikethiswoman.Sheknowshowtostopandsmelltheroses—orratherthewildflowers.

“Whoareyou?”Iaskher.“I’mMartha,”shesays,“thesisterofMaryandLazarus.”

SlowDown!Martha—Ineverwouldhaveguessed it.Becauseof thewayMartha interactedwith Jesus, I see her as a typeA personality—a doerwho’s not afraid to tellothers what to think and do. Martha never appeared to hold back wheninteractingwith Jesus.WhenHe arrived atBethany after Lazarus had alreadydied,MarthasaidtoHim,“Master,ifyou’dbeenhere,mybrotherwouldn’thavedied.Evennow,IknowthatwhateveryouaskGodhewillgiveyou.”31

In another encounter with Jesus, when He visited the home of Lazarus,Marthaworked in thekitchen,preparing thefoodandgettingeverythingreadyfor her guests while her sisterMary simply sat with Jesus, listening to Him.MartharesentedthatandtoldJesusso.Shesaid,“Master,don’tyoucarethatmysisterhasabandonedthekitchentome?Tellhertolendmeahand.”32

I’msosurprisedthatIfindmyselfasking,“Howdidsomeonesopragmaticandfocusedondoingbecomesorelaxed?”

“That’s easy,”Martha answers. “I listened to Jesus. Imissed it at first, butafter seeing my sister pour oil on Jesus’s feet and just love Him, it finallybecamecleartome:WhenJesusisinthehouse,giveHimyourfullattention.”

“IDidn’tKnowHowtoSlowDown”“Look,whenJesusarrivedatmyhome thatday, Ididn’tunderstand that therearenotverymanyJesusmomentsinlife.Thatwastrueforme,andinthosedaysJesuswasactuallypresent inbodyinmyhouse. It’salso trueforyou.Jesus isalwayswith us through the power of theHoly Spirit, but even devout peoplewho love God, pray, serve faithfully, worship, and read Scripture don’t havemany of thesemoments.When Jesuswas in the house on that day,my sisterMaryrecognizednottomissthemoment,butIdidn’t.”

“IThoughtDutyWasMoreImportantthanDevotion”“Mywhole life Iwasveryawareofmy responsibilities.As theoldest sister, Iwasexpectedtotakecareofmysiblings.Mymotherexpectedit.Aftershedied,Isteppedintoherrolecompletely.Ihadalwaysbeenwillingtodomydutyandtookpride in it.But that’snotwhat Jesuswanted fromme. Iofferedduty.Hewanteddevotion.Itwasn’tclearthen,butitisnow:

Duty DevotionWelcomesJesus WelcomesJesusGetsdistracted FocusesonJesusMisreadsJesus SitsatthefeetofJesusandlistens

TriestoimpressHimthroughwork SitsatthefeetofJesusandlistensFeelssuperior SitsatthefeetofJesusandlistens

Getsworkedupovernothing SitsatthefeetofJesusandlistensBecomesresentful SitsatthefeetofJesusandlistens

Doeseverythingbutthemainthing SitsatthefeetofJesusandlistens

“Peoplewithmy personality tend to fall into dutymode.We get towork.JesuswantsustoslowdownandspendtimewithHim.”

“IGotCaughtUpPreparingforJesusInsteadofPreparingMyselfforJesus”“Whenwehostothers,wewanttopreparethingsjustso.Wewantourgueststobecomfortableandtakencareof.There’snothingwrongwiththat.Butweneedtoremembersomething:Jesusisn’tourguest.He’sourSavior!

“Iwanted toplease Jesus. IwelcomedHim into thehouse,but thenall thepreparations that had to be made took all of my attention. Jesus entered theroom,andI left theroomtogointo thekitchen.It’ssometimeseasier toserveJesusthantostaywithJesus.”

“IGotWorkedUpOverUnimportantThingsInsteadofFocusingontheMainThing”“There’sadifferencebetweenlettingJesusintoyourlifeandactuallybeingwithHimandconnectingwithHim.IloveJesus,andIlovedHimbackthen.ButHemade me uncomfortable. Mary’s uninhibited love for Him made meuncomfortable too. I had to learn how to become comfortable with mydiscomfortsothatJesuscouldchangeme.

“Truthbe told,manypeoplewhobelieve in Jesus find it difficult to spendtimewithHim.Hemakesthemuncomfortable,andtheydon’tknowwhattodowiththat.Ifyouhaven’tdiscoveredhowtosimplybewithJesus,thenit’stimeyoulearn.”

LifeLessonsfromMarthaWhatapleasant surpriseMartha is. I thinkmanypeoplehavegivenherabadrap. Her mistake is recorded in Scripture for everyone to remember. Notrecorded iswhat she learned from it.When Jesus visited, her intentionsweregood.Shewaspractical,hospitable,andwilling toserve. Incomparison toherdevotedandextravagantsisterMary,shemayhavecomeoffaspushyandharsh.ShesimplyneededtolearnhowtointeractwithJesusinthebestway.

Wecontinue towalkamong the trees in the softgrass. I thinkevenahardchargerlikemecouldlearntoenjoysuchaplace.

“Myhope,”saysMartha,“isthatyoucanlearnsomethingsfrommylife.”

“WhenJesusShowsUp,Don’tGetBusy—StopWhatYou’reDoing”“It doesn’t matter where you are or what you’re doing: when Jesus is in thehouse,focusonHim.Thereisnootherappropriatewaytorespond.WhenJudasfussed atMary for pouring expensive oil on Jesus’s feet, ourLord said, ‘Youalwayshavethepoorwithyou.Youdon’talwayshaveme.’33Jesuscouldhavealsosaid,‘Therewillalwaysbeworkforyoutodo,butIwon’talwaysbehereinthehousewithyou.’

“WhenJesusshowsup,don’tgodosomethingelse.Don’tgointothekitchenorworkroom.Don’tgetbusy.StopandhangwithJesus.That’swhyHeistherewithyou.”

“WhenJesusShowsUp,Don’tFocusonServing—FocusonConnecting”“WhenmysisterMarysatatJesus’sfeet,brokethebottleofnard,poureditonJesus’sfeet,and thendriedHisfeetwithherhair,shewasn’tdoingit tomakeHisfeetclean.ItwastogiveJesusherentireattentionandshowHimhowmuchshelovedHim.

“I learned this lesson by watching my little sister. That’s not easy. I wasalwaystheonesettingtheexample.Thistimeshesettheexampleforme.Andit’salessonIlearnedwell.”

“WhenJesusShowsUp,Don’tTrytoTakeControl—GetonHisAgenda”“Imust admit, I enjoyedbeing in charge. Itmademe feelgood. I likegettingthingsdone.Ilikethefeelingofaccomplishingthings.Maybeyoudotoo.Whenyou’re hosting, serving, or doing, you feel like you are in control. However,whenyousitatJesus’sfeet,Heisincontrol.Thatcanbedifficult.

“IlookbacknowandrealizeIshouldhavelearnedthislessonwhenJesusletLazarusdieandthenbroughthimbacktolife.WhenJesusarrivedinBethany,IscoldedHimfornotcomingsooner.AllIcouldthinkaboutwasmyselfandwhatIwanted.Ilovedmybrother.ButJesuswasfollowingGod’sagenda.Hesawabiggerpicture.Healwaysdoes.Imissedthat.ButIlearnedthelessonthenexttime.Don’tyoumissit.”

“WhenJesusShowsUp,Don’tTrytoDoSomethingforHim—JustBewithHim”“WhenJesusis in thehouse, it’snotaboutwhatI’mdoingforHim.It’saboutwhatHe’s doing—nomatterwhat thatmaybe.Wedon’t knowwhenHewillshowup.Wedon’tknowwhatHisagendawillbe.Wedon’tknowwhatHeisgoingtowanttosayordo.WejustneedtobewillingtostopandbewithHim.Whenwedothat,wefindoutthingsaboutHimandaboutourselves.”

ThePrayerofMarthaWe’vebeenso focusedonMarthaand listening toherso intently that Ididn’trealizewehadarrivedback in frontof thesmallhousewherewestarted.Andfromthelookshegivesus,Irealizethatourtimewithherhascometoanend.Weare sittingon thegrass, preparing toput our shoesbackon,whenMarthaplacesahandoneachofourheadsandstartstopray:

“GraciousandForgivingGod,“IamsogratefulthatYougiveusopportunitiestochangeandgrowso

that we can draw closer to You and become more like You. Teach myfriendstoknowwithcertaintywhenYouareinthehouse,andshowthemhow to slow down to Your pace and connect with You. In the name ofJesus,Amen.”

IlookupandsmileatMartha.Shereturnsarelaxedandcontentedsmilebacktous.

“Thereisonlyonemorepersonforyoutomeettoday,”saysMartha,andmysmiledisappears,becauseIrealizeourtimeisnearlyover.“Shewillsharewithyouonefinaltruth—perhapsthemostimportantoneofall.”

Wefinishputtingonourshoesandstandup.“Go back to the narrow road and continue on in the way youwere going

whenIcalledtoyou,”saysMartha.“Yourfinalmentorwillbewaitingforyouupahead.”

LeadershipLessonsfromMarthaAswewalkback to the road, I’m torn. Iwant tohear the important truth thatwillbesharedbythenextperson,butI’malsoacutelyawareofhowlittletimewehavelefthere.AndIwanttoenjoyeveryminuteofit.

Weslowdown.Aswewalkweenjoythetrees,thewildflowers,andthefreshair.WealsothinkabouttheleadershiplessonstobelearnedfromMartha.

1.Don’tLetaBiastowardActionKeepYoufromStoppingtoBewithJesusLeaderspossessanaturalbiastowardaction.Thestrongertheleadershipgifting,themore powerful the penchant formoving things forward, solving problems,and creating momentum. That built-in desire can be a tremendous asset.However,itcanalsoworkagainstyou.

Our duties are never more pressing than our need for Jesus. That’s truewhetherwe’re leadersornot. Ifwewant to liveagood lifeandbecomemorelikeChrist,weneedtospendtimewithHim.WeneedtoallowHimtoshowuswhereweneedtochange.WeneedtolearnHischaractersothatwecanimitateit.Wecan’tdothatathighspeed.WemustslowdownandmaketimeforHim.

2.Don’t Allow Your Ability toGet a LotDoneMake YouFeel Superior toOthersMarthaworkedhardandgotalotdone.Thosearegoodthings.ButyoucantellbythewayshetalkedtoJesusabouthersisterthatshestartedtothinkofherselfassuperiortoMary.Thatwasn’tright.Jesusdidn’tloveMarthamorebecauseofwhatshegotdone.Jesusvalueseveryone.

IfGodhasgivenyoualotofenergyortalentorleadershipability,youmayappeartootherstobemorefavoredbyGodortohavegreatervalue.Itisn’ttrue.GodlovesyounomorethanthepersonwhoaccomplishesnothingforHim.ForthatreasonyoushouldadoptJesus’sattitudetowardothers.Paulsaiditthisway:

Thinkof yourselves thewayChrist Jesus thought of himself.HehadequalstatuswithGodbutdidn’tthinksomuchofhimselfthathehadtoclingtotheadvantagesofthatstatusnomatterwhat.Notatall.Whenthetimecame,hesetasidetheprivilegesofdeityandtookonthestatusofaslave,becamehuman!Havingbecomehuman,hestayedhuman.Itwasanincrediblyhumblingprocess.Hedidn’tclaimspecialprivileges. Instead,helivedaselfless,obedientlifeandthendiedaselfless,obedientdeath—andtheworstkindofdeathatthat—acrucifixion.34Soifyoubelieveyouhaveadvantagesoverothers,don’tusethem.Anddon’t

befooledintothinkingyoudeservebetterthanothersdo.

3.IfJesusShowsUpWhenYou’reLeading,FollowWhereHeLeadsIt’sveryeasyas leaders forus togetonourownagenda.That’swhatMarthadid.Sheknewwhat needed to be done, she had a plan, and shewas going toexecuteit.Shehadtunnelvision.

Ifyouarealeaderwhoisalsoapersonoffaith,youneedtobesensitivetotheHolySpirit and learn to pay attentionwhenGod showsup.Any time thathappens,itisforareason—God’s,notyours.TrytodeterminewhatGodwantstohavehappen.TrytofigureoutwhatGodwantsyoutodo.MaybeHewantsyou to take bold action.MaybeHewants you to stop others frombeing rash.MaybeHewantsyoutomodelhumility.MaybeHewantsyoutoapologizeforsomething you’ve done. (I’m sorry to say this has happened tomemore thanonce.)MaybeHejustwantsyoutogetoutoftheway.

IfJesusdecidestoenterthehousewhileyou’releading,it’snotanaccident.HeknowswhatHe’sdoing.FollowHim,andinviteotherstogowithyou.

Ihavetoadmit,asahighlyenergeticandaction-orientedpersonwhoalwayshasan opinion and loves to get things done, it’s good for me to think about thewisdom of Martha’s words. I love Jesus, and I like to think of myself assomeone who is always willing to stop and connect with Him. ButMartha’sstoryisagoodreminderthatyoucannotspendtoomuchtimewithHim.Ifyouarealsoapersonofaction,IhopeMartha’swordshavealsohelpedyou.

WomantoWoman

I’mintriguedbyMarthabecause,onsomelevel,Icanrelatetoher.Makingmyguestsfeelwelcomehasalwaysbeenimportanttome.Ilovetoseethemcontentedandcomfortablewhenwe’retogether.Andit’seasywhenpreparingforaspecialguesttogetcaughtupinthetasksyou need to do to welcome them. But I’ve found that if you really want a guest to feelcomfortableoncetheyarrive,youneedtogivethemyourfullattention.

IbelieveMarthawas trying tomake Jesus feelwelcome,buther focuswaswrong.ShewassoconcernedwithwhatsheneededtodoforJesusthatsheneglectedtojustbewithHimonceHewaswithher.That’swhereMary’sdecisionwastherightone.

BeingwithJesus,givingHimmyfullattention,isallthatHeasksofme.Activitydoesnotequalconnection.WhatIloveaboutthelessonthatJesustaughtMarthaisthatitremindsmetofocusmoreonmydevotiontoJesusthanonmyduties.That’strulywhatmakesHim—oranyotherguest—feelwelcome.

—AnitaMaxwell

QuestionsforReflectionorDiscussionTolearnmoreaboutMartha,readLuke10:38–42andJohn11:1–44.

1.Whomdoyouadmiremore—MarthaorhersisterMary?Why?2.Manypeoplefeelthattheyhavetoomuchtodoandtoolittletime.How

difficultdoyoufindittogettasksdone?Explain.3.Howoftendoyoucomparetheworkyou’redoingtotheworkothersare

gettingdone?Doesitmakeyoufeelsuperior,asMarthadid?Ordoesitmakeyoufeelinferior,asMarthawastryingtogetMarytofeel?

4.Doyoufinditeasyordifficulttostopwhatyou’redoingandtrytogetonGod’sagenda?

5.Whatroleshoulddutyplaywhenitcomestofaith?Whatroleshoulddevotionplay?

6.CanyoudescribeatimewhenyoudesiredclarityaboutsomethingimportanttoyouandreceiveditonlywhenyouspenttimewithGod?

7.ManybelieversfinditdifficulttojustbewithJesuswithoutfeelingtheneedtodosomething.Isthistrueforyou?Ifso,howcanyouchangeit?

THESAMARITANWOMAN

GodWillAlwaysGoOutofHisWayforYou

Thenarrowroadwetravelcontinuestowindthroughthewoods.Wepassotherhouses constructed in amultitude of styles. Soonwe can see that the road istakingus towardacliffwall thatriseshighaboveus.Thecraggystoneface isgraywithpatchesofdeepredandbrown.

The roadwewalk looks like it simply stops at the bottomof the cliff, butwhenwegetthere,wecanseethatamongtherocksontheleftthereisahiddenpaththatslopesupward.

Wetakethepathandstartclimbing.Beforelongthepathswitchesbackandclimbs in the other direction.Aswe ascendwe lookdownand see the zigzagpatternof thepathwaybelowus. Itdoesn’t take longforus toclimbupabovethe tops of the tall trees, and we can see that the forest is a large rectangleborderedonthissideandtheleftsidebycliffs.Ontherightit’sborderedbythecity.Wecan’tseewhat’sonthefarsideoppositeus.

Afterwetakeoneoftheturnsintheswitchback,wallsonbothsidesofthepathriseupalongsideustoaheightofabouttenfeetsothatwecannolongersee the view.We take the opportunity to lookmore closely at the stone thatsurrounds us.Most of it is gray and pinkwith an occasional streak of green.EverynowandthenIseeclumpsofred,firstthesizeofawalnut,thenasoftball,growingtothesizeofacar.Thehigherweclimb,themoreredwesee.

JustasIfeelmylegsareabouttogiveoutandI’mreadytostopandtakearest,weturnacornerandthepathgoesinanewdirection—awayfromtheforestanddirectlytowardthecliff.Wewalkupashortstaircasemadeentirelyofthe

redstonethathasbeenpolishedsmooth,andwefindourselvesontheshoreofagorgeouslake.ItremindsmeofLakeComoinItaly.Thewater,whichisadeepblue, is surrounded by craggy mountains. Along the lake’s shoreline arebeautifulvillas.

The road on which we stand seems to be made of the same polishedcrystallineredstonethatthestairwaywasmadeof.Inthemiddleoftheroadtenfeetfromusisawomandressedfromheadtotoeinanondescriptbrowncloak.Herhair,whichpeeksout fromunderherheadcovering,appears tobealmostthesamebrown.Ifshewereinacrowdinsteadofstandingintheroadinfrontofus,Imightnotevennoticeher.

When we look into her face, we can see that she has had a hard life. Hefeaturesaresharp.Herfaceiswrinkled.Herbrowisfurrowed.Hersisthefaceofonewhohasseenalotofpain,alotofdisappointment.Butthenshesmilesatus,andher face transforms.Wherewehadseenevidenceof struggle,wenowseejoy.

“Comewithme,”shesays.“Ourtimeisshort,andIhavemuchtotellyou.”Shedoesn’twait,butturnsonherheelandbeginswalkingintheotherdirectionalong theshorelineof the lake.Wequickenourpaceso thatwecatchupwithher.

AnUnexpectedConnection“ThedayJesuscametomyvillagewaslikeanyotherday.Ineededwater,butIhatedfacingtheotherpeoplewholivedthere.SoIwaiteduntilthesunwashighoverhead before going out with my jar. When I got to the well, I wasdisappointedtoseethatsomeonewasthere.ButIdidn’trecognizehimfromthevillage, andcould seeby thewayhewasdressed thathewasa Jew, so IwasrelievedbecauseIknewhewouldignoreme.

“Buthedidn’t ignoreme,” shesayswithgreat intensity.“He talked tome.Anddidmorethanjusttalktome.Hespokeasthoughhe’dknownmemyentirelife.”

“Areyou,”Istutter,“areyoutheSamaritanWomanJesusmetatthewellinSychar?”

“Yes,Iam,”sheanswers.“Wow,”Irespond.“What’syourname?”“Thatisnotforyoutoknow,”sheanswers,“notwhileyouarestilltowalk

theearth.WhentheapostleJohnrecordedmystory,Godtoldhimnottowritemyname.”

“Butwhy?”Iask.“Becausemystoryisyourstory.It’severyone’sstory,”sheanswers.I’mconfused,andshemustbeabletoseeitinmyface,becauseshegoeson

toexplain.“Myentirelife,allIeverwantedwastobeloved.Iwantedtofeel…wanted.

I think that’s true for everyone.We look for acceptance and love in differentways.BythetimeJesuscametomeandofferedtogivemelivingwater,Iwasinmyfifties,andlifehadbeenhard.I’dbeenmarriedfive times—divorcedthreetimes,widowedonce,andabandonedonce.I’dhopedforagoodlife,for love,forcontentment,yet Ineverfoundit.SoIdid thebest Icould.AndJesuswasright.Ihadmovedintothehouseofamaninthevillagewithoutmarryinghim.It’swhy thewomen of the village shunnedme. They hatedme.And I didn’texactlyfeelgoodaboutmyselfeither.

“ItwasasurprisewhenJesustalkedtome.Irememberthinking,IfyouknewwhoIwas,youwouldn’ttalktome.ButthenbywhatHesaid,HeshowedthatHedidknowme.Thatwasshocking.ItwasanevengreatershockwhenHetoldmeHewas theMessiah.How could that be?Andwhywould theMessiah betalkingtome?Ithought.ButnothingcouldcomparetohowdumbfoundedIwas

bythewayJesusvaluedme.HetreatedmelikeIwasactuallyworthsomething.AndbecauseHevaluedme, Ihadactualvalue.For thefirst time indecades, Ihadhope,andIdidn’tfeellikeanoutcast.

“Listentomenow,becausethisisimportant,”shesays.“GodwillalwaysgooutofHiswayforyou.Youcanbeanoutcast,asIwas.Youcanbeaking,likeDavid or Solomon.You can be a slave or a celebrity, a common laborer or aprofessor,amotherorfatherorsisterorson.Nomatterwhoyouare,GodwillgooutofHiswayforyou.”

LifeLessonsfromtheSamaritanWomanThelevelofherintensitysurprisesme.Wewalktogetherforawhileinsilence.Isuspectsheislettingthewordssinkin.Ilookatherandseethatsheiswatchingus.Hergazeisintense.Asshestridesalong,Inoticesomethingforthefirsttime.As her brown cloak swings, it moves and reveals an inner cloak that is ascolorfulas theoutercloak isdrab.There ismore toher thanat firstmeets theeye.

“When Jesus valued me and offered me life,” she continues, “I couldn’tcontainmyself.Itoldeveryoneintown.Iwentfromdoortodoor.Ieventoldthewomenwhohatedme.Ididn’tcare.EveryoneneededwhatJesushadtooffer,andIknewit.Beforelongtheyknewittoo.UsuallyweSamaritansstayedawayfromtheJews,andtheJewsavoidedus.ButJesusstayedwithusfortwodays.HeandHisdiscipleshelpedustounderstandGodandHisloveforus.AndwhatHetaughtus,Ineedtotellyou.”

“ItDoesn’tMatterWhereYouAre—JesusValuesYou”“In my day Jews didn’t go to Samaria. When Jews from Galilee went toJerusalemforPassover, theyused tocrossover theJordanRiverandgomilesoutoftheirwaytoavoidus.ButJesusdidn’tdothat.Hewentwhereothersdidnotwanttogoanddidwhatothersdidnotwanttodo—allforme.Hewilldothesameforyou.There isnoplacein thisworldthat is toofaror tooalienor toodifficultforGod.Hewillgototheendsoftheearthforyou.”

“ItDoesn’tMatterWhatYou’veDone—JesusValuesYou”“I’ve already toldyou that Iwas anoutcast.Everyone in society shunnedme,andthemanIlivedwithinSycharwasn’tevenkindtome.Theywereashamedofme.AndIwasashamedofmyself.Ihaddonethingsthatanyonewouldhatetoadmit.ButJesusdidn’tcare!Hecaredaboutmemorethanaboutmychoices.He told me He came for people like me. And He came for people like you.There’snothingyoucoulddotokeepJesus’slovefromyou.”

“ItDoesn’tMatterWhatYouBelieve—JesusValuesYou”“PerhapsthemostsurprisingthingofallisthatJesusvaluesyou,nomatterwhatyou believe. During the two days Jesus was in the village, many peoplerecognizedthatHewastheMessiah,andtheyacceptedHisloveandforgiveness.Butmanydidnot.ManyrejectedHimand insultedHim.Hevaluedand lovedthemstill.

“AtthetimeIdidnotunderstandit.ButnowIdo.God’sloveforuscannotbebroken.Itcannotbeundone.Wecanrejectit,butthatdoesn’tstopHimfromextendingittous.Hevaluesusnomatterwhat.”

ThePrayeroftheSamaritanWomanThemessageshehasforusissosimple.Yetitisthemostimportantmessageinthehistoryofhumanity.Godlovesus,andHedidgooutofHiswayforusbysendingJesustous.Godhasputheaveninourhearts.WejustneedtobewillingtoacceptHisgiftoflove.

“It is time foryou togo,” says theSamaritanWoman. “But first Iwant toprayforyou.

“OHeavenlyFatherWhoLovesUs,“ItisastoundingthatYouloveusasYoudo.Weareunworthy,yetYou

offerusYour love just the same. Iask thatYouhelpmy friendshere tosenseYourlovewhentheyfeelunlovable,andtobereassured.Andoutofthatgift,maytheyshareYourlovewithothers.Amen.

“Ifyoucontinueonalongthisroad,youwillseeabridge.Crossoverit.Yourjourneywillendthere.MayGodblessyou.”

LeadershipLessonsWefollowherdirectionsandwalkfartherdowntheroad.Ican’thelpthinkingabouthowmanypeoplecametoknowJesusbecauseofher.Howmanyinhervillage?Howmanywhohavereadherstoryandrealizeditisalsotheirstory?

In a traditional sense, the SamaritanWomanwas not a leader. She had noposition or title. We don’t even know what her name was. But she was aninfluencer, and that means she was a leader. Others followed her—right intoheaven.

Whatcanwelearnfromher?

1.GoodLeadersValuePeopleNopersoncanbeagoodleaderandnotcareaboutothers.Peoplewhodon’tcareabout others may be able to gather power. They may be able to manipulatepeople. But they cannot truly lead others unless they value them. No onemodeledthisbetterthanJesusdidwiththeSamaritanWoman.

If you have responsibility for leading people, and you don’t value them asindividuals, thenaskGod tohelpyou. Ihave found thatwhen Ihaven’t caredenough for others and I’ve askedGod to help,He has softenedmy heart andrekindledmydesiretolovepeople.

2.GoodLeadersAddValuetoPeopleWhenyouvaluepeople,youwanttoaddvaluetothem.Jesusdidthiseverydaywitheveryone.Hewaswillingtohelpeveryonewhowaswillingtoask.AndHisspirit rubbedoffon theSamaritanWoman.She tried toconnectwitheveryoneelse inhervillage,because she saw that Jesuscouldchange their lives for thebettertoo.

Leaders are in a great position to help others. Every person you lead is acandidate for your ability to make them better, not just professionally, butpersonally.Everyonehasadeepneedtobeloved,helped,andappreciated.Youcanbecomethekindofleaderwhobringsvaluetopeopleintheseways.

3.GoodLeadersDon’tWaittoTakeActionWhentheSamaritanWomanrealizedwhatwashappeningtoher,shedidn’twaitaround.Shegotmoving.Infact,sheleftthewellsoquicklythatsheforgotherjar.Sheleapedintoaction.Shewantedtodowhatevershecouldtohelppeople.

ThisisalsothewayJesusoperated.Hetookaction.ThefactthatHespoketotheSamaritanWomanwhen itwasconsidered tabooshows thatHevalued theright action over convention. Jesus was so rewarded by the outcome that Hecomparedittobeingfed.JesustoldHisdisciples,

ThefoodthatkeepsmegoingisthatIdothewilloftheOnewhosentme,finishingtheworkhestarted.Asyoulookaroundrightnow,wouldn’tyou say that in about fourmonths itwill be time to harvest?Well, I’mtellingyoutoopenyoureyesandtakeagoodlookatwhat’srightinfrontofyou.TheseSamaritanfieldsareripe.It’sharvesttime!35JesuswasexhortingHisleaderstoact.Hewantedthemtocommunicatethe

Gospeltoothers,andstartleadingthem.Heknewthatthesoonertheymovedforward,thesoonertheycouldhelpothersandthemorepeopletheycouldhelp.JesusstillasksHisleaderstodothiseventoday.

TheSamaritanWoman’sfiercefaithinGod’sloveinspiresme.WhateverfatigueIfeltfromclimbingupthesteeppathwayatthecliffisnowgone.IfGodiswillingtogooutofHiswayforme,thenI’mwillingtogooutofmywayforHim.IfeellikeI’mreadyforanything,andIhopeyouaretoo.

WomantoWoman

ThefirsttimeIheardthestoryoftheSamaritanWoman,Iwasinspiredbyherexperiencewith Jesus andhowher life changed.Thepicturewe envisionofher leads to apainful pastfilledwithdisappointment,sadness,andlossofhope,causingalifefulloflowself-esteem.Itwassolow,infact,thatshehidfromeveryone.Shewasjudgedandhatedbyeverywomaninthevillage.Sheinturnfeltextremelyunlovedandbecameverylonely.Shelookedforloveandacceptanceinallthewrongplaces.

Everythingchangedwhenshecameface-to-facewithJesus.Jesusshowedhersomethingthatnobodyeverhadbefore.HeprovedHisunconditional loveandmercyforherbytalkingwith her andmakingher feel as though theyhadknown eachother forever. She became soexcited andon fire forHim that she forgot herwater jug by thewell and ran through towntellingeveryoneabouttheMessiahandHisloveforthem,despitehowtheyfeltabouther.

Aswomen,wewant tobe lovedandaccepted.Wewant tobe“wanted.”Jesusgaveherthat love and acceptance. She overcame her innermost struggles through His unconditionalloveandturnedthemintoajoy,whichshewantedtospreadtoothers.ItmadeherboldandfullofcouragebecauseshehadfaithinHisultimateloveforher.

WhatItakeawayfromthisstoryistoneverdoubtJesus,evenwhentimesaretoughandIdon’t think I can go on. Jesus extendsHis grace and forgiveness tome unconditionally, nomatterwhatI’vedoneorhowhorribleImayfeelaboutmyself.Hesimplylovesme.

TheSamaritanWomanofferedJesuswatertodrinkfromthewell,andinreturnHeofferedherlivingwater,eternallife.WeneedtorealizethatJesusdoesn’tcarewherewehavebeen.HejustwantsustoenduplovingHim,livingforHim,andhelpingotherstoliveforHimtoo.AllwehavetodoisopenupourheartsandletHimin.

—MaddieMiller

QuestionsforReflectionorDiscussionTolearnmoreabouttheSamaritanWoman,readJohn4:1–42.

1.Inwhatways,ifany,doyouidentifywiththeSamaritanWoman?2.DoyoufinditeasyordifficulttobelievethatGodlovesyounomatterwhat

you’vedoneorwhereyou’vebeen?Why?3.HavetherealreadybeeninstancesinyourlifewhereyousensedthatGodwas

goingoutofHiswayforyou?Ifso,explain.4.Ifyouhavenotsensedthatalready,inwhatwaywouldyouwantGodtogo

outofHiswayforyou?5.WhatisyourresponsetoJesus’sclaimthatHewastheMessiahandistheSon

ofGod?6.HowdoyoufeelabouttalkingtoothersaboutJesusChrist?Doesitmakeyou

uncomfortable,ordoyoufeelcompelledtoshareyourfaithastheSamaritanWomandid?Why?

7.Whatisyourgreatestobstacletotakingonaleadershiprole?Whatcouldyoudotoovercomethatobstacle?

CONCLUSION

We have walked only about a hundred yards when the road bends around acornerandweseethebridge.It’salmostlikeajetty.Itleadstoasmallislandnotfarfromtheshore.Wewalkacrossthebridgeandarriveatasmallpavilion.

Seatedonabenchinsideismymother.ShesaidIwouldseeheragain.“Mom!”Isay,andIgrabherinahugoncemore.Ican’tdescribehowI’ve

missedherhugs.“It’ssogoodtoseeyouagain,Son,”shesays.“Mom, the women we met were incredible. They really are giants of the

faith.Letmetellyouwhatwelearned:“Ruthtaughtustofollowourhearttofindourhope.“Sarahsaidweshouldn’tcomplicateGod’spromisewithoursolution.“RahabtoldusthatGod’sstoryisfullofsurprises.“HannahexplainedthatGodblessesthepromiseswekeeptoHim.“Abigailsaidthatasingleactofwisdomcanchangeourdestiny.“Miriamtoldusthatcomparisonwithotherscanrobusofourjoy.“MaryexhortedusnottomissourmomentwithGod.“MarthataughtthatwhenJesusisinthehouse,weshouldgiveHimour

fullattention.“TheSamaritanWomansaidthatGodwillalwaysgooutofHiswayfor

us.”“I’msoglad,John,”Momsays.“Soit’sbeenagoodvisit.”“It’sbeenfantastic,”Itellher,“butasmuchasIenjoyedit,I’dratherjustsit

andtalkwithyou.”“I’msorry,John.Iwishyoucouldstaylonger,butyourtimehereisdone.”“Can’twetalk,justforalittlewhile?”Iaskaswesitdownnexttoher.“That’snotwhyyou’rehere,”saysMomwithasmile.“Butdon’tbesad.

YouandIwillhaveaneternitytotalkwhenthetimecomes.”Momgrabsmyhands,andthelastthingIhearhersayis,“GivemylovetoMargaret,my

grandchildren,andmygreat-grandchildren.”Ibarelyhearthelastwordsbecauseasshefinishesthem,myheadbeginsto

swim.ThenextthingIknow,I’minmystudysittinginmyfavoritethinkingchair.

HowlonghaveIbeengone?Iwonder.It’sstilldarkoutside.Ilookandseethattheclocksaysit’s5:00a.m.—thesametimeaswhenIclosedmyeyes.

SpeakingofGod,Scripturesays,“Athousandyearsinyoursightarelikeadaythathasjustgoneby,orlikeawatchinthenight.”36HasGoddoneallthisintheblinkofaneye?Orhasthisbeenadream?TheprophetJoeldidsayoldmenwoulddreamdreams.37Eitherway,I’velearnedalot,andGodhasgivenusalottothinkabout.

BooksbyDr.JohnC.MaxwellCanTeachYouHowtoBeaREALSuccess

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25WaystoWinwithPeopleBecomingaPersonofInfluence

EncouragementChangesEverythingEthics101

EveryoneCommunicates,FewConnectThePowerofPartnership

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The15InvaluableLawsofGrowthThe17EssentialQualitiesofaTeamPlayerThe17IndisputableLawsofTeamworkDevelopingtheLeadersAroundYou

HowSuccessfulPeopleGrowEquipping101

MakeTodayCountMentoring101MyDreamMapPartnersinPrayer

PutYourDreamtotheTestRunningwiththeGiantsTalentIsNeverEnough

TodayMattersYourRoadMapforSuccess

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TheDifferenceMakerFailingForward

HowSuccessfulPeopleThinkHowSuccessfulPeopleWin

SometimesYouWin,SometimesYouLearnSometimesYouWin,SometimesYouLearnforKidsSometimesYouWin,SometimesYouLearnforTeens

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The21IrrefutableLawsofLeadershipThe21IndispensableQualitiesofaLeader

The21MostPowerfulMinutesinaLeader’sDayThe360DegreeLeader

DevelopingtheLeaderWithinYouThe5LevelsofLeadership

GoforGoldGoodLeadersAskGreatQuestionsHowSuccessfulPeopleLeadJumpstartYourLeadership

Leadership101TheLeadershipHandbook

LeadershipPromisesforEveryDayLearningfromtheGiants

NOTES

1.John1:12.

2.Deuteronomy24:19–22.

3.Deuteronomy25:5–10.

4.Ruth2:11–12,MSG.

5.Ruth4:11–12,MSG.

6.1Peter5:7,GNT.

7.Genesis16:5,MSG.

8.Hebrews11:31.

9.Matthew1:15.

10.1Samuel2:1,MSG.

11.1Samuel2:10,MSG.

12.Judges17:6,MSG.

13.1Samuel3:19–21,MSG.

14.1Samuel1:23,MSG.

15.1Samuel25:10–11,MSG.

16.1Samuel25:18–19,MSG.

17.1Samuel25:23–25,MSG.

18.Psalm31:23,NIV.

19.1Samuel25:28–31,MSG.

20.1Samuel25:31,MSG.

21.1Samuel25:39–40,MSG.

22.James1:5,NIV.

23.1Samuel25:22,MSG.

24.Numbers12:6–8,MSG.

25.Numbers11:28–29,MSG.

26.Luke1:28,MSG.

27.Luke1:31,MSG.

28.Luke1:38,MSG.

29.John2:5,MSG.

30.Luke2:19.

31.John11:21–22,MSG.

32.Luke10:40,MSG.

33.John12:8,MSG.

34.Philippians2:5–8,MSG.

35.John4:34–35,MSG.

36.Psalm90:4,NIV.

37.Joel2:28.

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Intheraceoflife—acontestofstamina,endurance,faith,andunderstanding—weareneveralone.Othershaverunitbeforeus.InJohnC.Maxwell’svisionofhumanity,thegiantsoffaithareinthestands,urginguson,prayingforus,andofferingthewisdomoftheirexperience.Weneedonlylistenfortheirvoicesandheartheirstoriestoturnourmodern-daychallengesintovictories.

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Contents

CoverTitlePageWelcomeDedication

AcknowledgmentsPreface

RUTH…forwhenyoumustmakeadecisionbutdon’tknowwhattodo.

SARAH…forwhenyoucan’tunderstandGodandimpatiencethreatensto

overwhelmyou.

RAHAB…forwhenyou’refeelingjadedordisappointedwithyourlife.

HANNAH…forwhenyoudon’twanttodosomethingyouknowyoushould.

ABIGAIL…forwhenyou’vebeenputinadifficultsituation.

MIRIAM…forwhenyou’rediscouragedbecauseothersseemmoresuccessfulthan

you.

MARY…forwhenGodasksyoutodosomethingoutsideyourcomfortzone.

MARTHA

…forthosetimeswhenyousenseGod’spresence.

THESAMARITANWOMAN…forwhenyou’refeelingunworthyorunloved.

ConclusionBooksbyDr.JohnC.MaxwellCanTeachYouHowtoBeaREALSuccess

NotesNewslettersCopyright

Copyright

Copyright©2015byJohnC.MaxwellTheauthorisrepresentedbyYates&Yates,LLP,LiteraryAgency,Orange,California.CoverdesignbyBrandNavigationCoverillustration:©Chronicle/AlamyAllrightsreserved.InaccordancewiththeU.S.CopyrightActof1976,thescanning,uploading,andelectronicsharingofanypartofthisbookwithoutthepermissionofthepublisherconstituteunlawfulpiracyandtheftoftheauthor’sintellectualproperty.Ifyouwouldliketousematerialfromthebook(otherthanforreviewpurposes),priorwrittenpermissionmustbeobtainedbycontactingthepublisheratpermissions@hbgusa.com.Thankyouforyoursupportoftheauthor’srights.

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