TREASURE
Helping Women Fulfill the Great Commission
LEADING WITH TRUTH AND A TAMBOURINE | THE OTHER SISTER | DEBORAH THE JUDGE
JANUARY-MARCH
TREASURE
Volume VII, Issue 1 | January-March 2026 | WNAC.ORG
MIRIAM: LEADING WITH
BIBLE STUDIES
Leading With Truth and a Tambourine.................................5
A
Interview with Diane Wiley .......18
Laura Bell Barnard: A Trailblazer ................................27 Tightening My Combat Boots .....29
TREASURE
ISSN 8960038
Volume VII, Issue 1
Editorial Staff
BEHIND THE SCENES
Phyllis York, Editor-in-Chief
BY: Ruth McDonald
How do your insecurities keep you from serving God? Are there things He is calling you to do that trigger your feelings of inadequacy or fear of failure?
The Other Sister .......................12
When have you brought an urgent need to Jesus? How did He respond?
Deborah The Judge ..................22
Do you know a Deborah, or someone who has Deborah-like qualities? In today’s world, just as in Deborah’s time, strong women are called to lead and inspire.
FEATURES
Five Reasons to Stay in Church Nursery ..........................................10
Worship Around the World........11 Woman’s Ministry Outreach ...20
IN
EVERY ISSUE Let’s Talk 4 Giggles 21 Just Being Ruthful....................... 31
Estudio en español
Cuando nada es suficiente… Cristo lo es todo ........................................32
TREASURE (ISSN 8960038) is produced quarterly by Women Nationally Active for Christ of the National Association of Free Will Baptists, Inc., 5233 Mount View Road, Antioch, TN 37013-2306. Copyright privileges reserved. A 2026 Member of Evangelical Press Association.
Mail questions or comments to: Treasure, PO Box 5002, Antioch, TN 37011-5002 treasure@wnac.org | wnac.org | @WNACFWB
Tori Matlock, Design
WNAC Board
Rachelle Burchett, Kentucky
Sharon Dickey, Texas
Tracy Payne, Arkansas
LeeAnn Wilfong, Missouri
Jessica Edwards, Tennessee
Katie Postlewaite, South Carolina
Melanie Franks, Alabama
Angie Fraser, Florida
Ashley Alphin, Ohio
Contributors
Ruth McDonald, Tennessee
Carol Reid, Tennessee
Deborah St. Lawerence, Tennessee
Judy Lytle, Tennessee
Kendal Truett, Texas
Diane Wiley, Tennessee
About the Writer:
Tracy Payne serves with her husband, Russell, in Springdale, Arkansas. She is mother of five and “Chick” to one grandson. She loves Women’s Ministry, especially Bible Study, and can often be found in a local thrift store.
Let’s Talk
BY: Tracy Payne
Women of Influence
What is a woman of influence? This generally refers to a famous person who has done, or is doing, grand things in society. However, spiritually, this has a different meaning.
Throughout the Bible, we see women from all walks of life who were just living their lives, and God took note of it. We see Deborah, a gentle woman warrior who used wisdom and words, and yes, she was not opposed to action. What about Martha? She served others, sometimes putting her service above her own spiritual needs, yet the LORD showed her what was more needful. Later, at the tomb of her brother, we see her as a woman of great faith, proclaiming Jesus as Christ, the Son of God. Then, there is Miriam, the sister of a most influential man. She used her enthusiasm and talent to help others praise and worship God.
Two of the world’s greatest influencers are women you will never know. My maternal grandmother was born in Indian Territory in 1902. My paternal grandmother was born in 1914 in the former Indian Territory, the young state of Oklahoma. They were ordinary women, like those mentioned in Scripture, yet they lived extraordinary lives through their daily life with Christ. Grandma G lived 105 years on this earth. She was faithful in her walk with God. She was a church pianist until she was 100 years old! I cannot begin to tell you the ways she influenced me as she lived through hardships and the death of loved ones. Grandma C bore sixteen children. “Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her” (Proverbs 31:28). Her legacy now includes 221 descendants (and counting). I am number 26.
Let us willingly live our “ordinary” lives, showing an extraordinary Savior to our world of influence.
MIRIAM: LEADING WITH
BY: Ruth McDonald
My ability to “shop ‘til I drop” comes to a halt when my feet start hurting, so it is difficult to imagine how Miriam trekked through the wilderness for almost 40 years wearing sandals!
As we attempt to walk in Miriam’s sandals, we see hers was a journey of faith, family, failure, and fierce devotion. As Moses’ sister, she was an eyewitness to some of the greatest miracles of human history. One overlooked but significant miracle was when her sandals (along with the thousands who wandered in the wilderness with her), never wore out (Deuteronomy 29:5). The miracle of the 40-year, supernaturally durable clothing and footwear illustrates just how faithful our God is. Even in our faltering and failing, His provision and protection are sure.
Miriam was a sister, protector, prophetess, praise leader, and prideful rebel. She, like us, was flawed and far from consistent in her walk with God, but she is remembered as one of the great leaders of the nation of Israel. God used her to preserve, inspire, and lead His people to the Promised Land.
Miriam’s Early Influence: Protector (Exodus 2:1-10)
Talk about bad timing to have a baby! Jochebed was a Hebrew slave, married to Amram, and raising their two children in Egyptian captivity. A cruel edict was announced ordering every male baby born to Hebrew slaves to be murdered upon delivery (Exodus 1:15-21). When her baby was delivered, Jochebed undoubtedly grieved to see he was a boy. Perhaps the brave “resistance” Hebrew midwives were present at the birth, but whether they attended or not, baby Moses was spared death and hidden for three months.
Here big sister Miriam enters the story, though we don’t learn her name until much later in the narrative. She was old enough to understand the trauma of Egyptian soldiers finding and executing baby boys in her community. For three months she and her family lived in constant fear, dreading the forced entry of the soldiers at their door. When Jochebed fashioned a “Moses basket” and placed him in the Nile River, Miriam watched over and protected her baby brother.
Though not specified, most scholars assume Miriam was around seven — old enough to be responsible, to interact with Pharaoh’s daughter, and to devise a clever plan for Moses’ care.
Oh, the wonder of God’s providential plan! Miriam wasn’t even named during this entire episode other than as “his sister,” and yet the future of a nation depended upon her. Her lifelong traits of courage, intelligence, and leadership are evident in her approach to Pharaoh’s daughter offering to find a Hebrew woman to nurse the infant. Because of Miriam’s clever and quick actions, Jochebed continued to lovingly care for Moses even though he was newly adopted into Pharaoh’s household. The preservation of Moses and the nation of Israel are due, at least in large part, to a little girl.
No one is too young to be used by God.
My own daughter, Kate (McDonald) Speer, now an IM missionary in Japan, began winning people to Jesus in the first grade. Each week at Sunday School, she listened attentively when I shared the Bible story. On Monday, she took the little Bible memory cards and gathered her friends at morning recess. (She didn’t invite the boys because this was still the “cooties” era.) She retold the story, sang a song, and prayed with them. After a few months, her sevenyear-old classmate, Kaori, accepted Jesus as her Savior. Please don’t tell me you don’t know enough for God to use you!
For Thought and Discussion:
How do your insecurities keep you from serving God? Are there things He is calling you to do that trigger your feelings of inadequacy or fear of failure? Give these excuses to Him in prayer and ask others to pray for you as you step out in faith.
Miriam at the Red Sea: Prophetess and Praise Leader (Exodus 15:20-21)
After Miriam’s vital role as babysitter, we don’t hear about her for at least eight decades. Reading between the lines, though, we know Miriam and
Aaron remained in slavery while Moses was raised in the luxury of Pharaoh’s palace. During the 40 years Moses was in Midian, she served faithfully alongside the other slave women. No doubt she often thought of her baby brother and wondered if she would see him again.
Moses was 80 years old when he approached Pharaoh asking for the liberation of the Israelite slaves. His brother Aaron was 83, and we can speculate Miriam was at least 87. A lot of life had transpired during the missing 80 years, and we have no details about Miriam’s life during this period. The focus was entirely on Moses and Aaron.
Was she married? Did she have children? The Bible doesn’t specify. Jewish tradition holds she was married to Hur, the man who, along with Aaron, held up Moses’ arms during an important battle; however, no biblical evidence supports this claim. Since the Bible never names a husband nor lists any children, it seems safe to assume she never married.
One thing we know for sure is she witnessed the plagues, the Passover, and the crossing of the Red Sea with all its drama and destruction. When she suddenly reappears in Exodus 15:20, she is called “Miriam, the prophetess.” From this, we know the Lord spoke to and through her, though we are not told how much or how often. Referring to herself and Aaron, she says in Numbers 12:1-2, “Has the LORD indeed spoken only through Moses? Has he not spoken through us as well?”
Miriam is the first prophetess named in Scripture, followed by Deborah, Huldah, the wife of Isaiah, Anna, and the four virgin daughters of Philip. The recorded messages they shared with the people of God seem to be primarily centered on praising Him for His great power.
Exodus 15 records the first recorded praise song in the Bible, known as the “Song of the Sea” or Shirat Hayam in Hebrew. Sung by “Moses and the people of Israel,” it is often called “The Song of Moses.” However, no actual evidence supports Moses as the author of this song. Many Jewish scholars refer to it as ‘The Song of
Miriam,’ a view supported by fragments of the Dead Sea Scrolls. What we know for certain is what Scripture tells us:
“Miriam, the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a tambourine in her hand, and all the women went out after her with tambourines and dancing. And Miriam sang to them: ‘Sing to the LORD, for he has triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea’” (Exodus 15:20-21).
Many suggest she likely led them in the entirety of the song recorded in Exodus 15:1-18, as the above excerpt is just the introductory refrain. She picked up a tambourine, and the women followed her. Miriam was, quite literally, a leader of women and the first worship leader mentioned in the Bible.
As a child, I always imagined a beautiful, young, gypsy-like girl when I thought of Miriam’s dancing and worship. Realizing she was now 87 years old changes that image a bit. Admittedly, people did have longer life spans at that time — they all lived to be past 120 years old; however, even then 87 was not considered young. She and her brothers were still strong enough physically to make the strenuous journey ahead of them.
No one is too old to be used by God.
My dear mother-in-law, Katherine McDonald (“Ms. Mac”), was beloved by many. As the Dietician at Welch College, she undoubtedly fed more Free Will Baptists than any other woman. In her retirement years, she began making “friendship bread” from a starter she added to each week. Every few days, she made bread and gave it to someone the Lord laid on her heart. Bible college students, church friends, firsttime visitors, neighbors, and shut-ins were among those who received her offerings. Ms. Mac prayed over those loaves and asked God to bless those who received them. At 80 years old, shortly before her death from cancer, one of her neighbors, befriended through her bread, came to her wanting to know how to become a Christian. Ms. Mac called her pastor, Paul Harrison, and the two of them led the neighbor to Jesus. Ms. Mac’s bread, little Katie’s recess Bible
club, and Miriam’s tambourine all serve to punctuate this truth:
“My word that proceeds out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it” (Isaiah 55:11, ESV).
The power of God is not diminished by human weakness or limitation. As a matter of fact, His power is best displayed against the backdrop of our frailty (2 Corinthians 12:9). Our job is to point others to Jesus, placing the focus on Him. Telling our story by reciting how He has worked in our lives brings Him glory and emphasizes His power.
For Thought and Discussion:
Read the entire “Song of the Sea” in Exodus 15:1-18. Compose your own song of praise to God, listing examples of the ways He has shown His power in your life. Use the refrain in verse 2 as a chorus: “The LORD is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him.”
Miriam’s “Toxic Trait” (Numbers 12:1-15)
Sibling relationships can be challenging. We’ve already established Miriam loved her little brother fiercely. From protective older sister to proud follower of his leadership, her loyalty to Moses was unwavering. But then he married a woman she didn’t like. In Numbers 12, we read, “Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the Cushite woman whom he had married.”
No definitive answer exactly identifies this Cushite woman. In Exodus 2:16-22, well before he confronted Pharaoh, Moses had married Zipporah, the daughter of the priest of Midian. The question is whether “the Cushite woman” refers to Zipporah or to a different, subsequent wife. Cush (in modern Ethiopia) and
Midian (in Saudi Arabia) were separate countries. However, many sources claim the term “Cushite” often referred more broadly to “a dark-skinned person,” leading some to believe the complaint was born of racism. Others say it was rooted in jealousy. Unfortunately, there is no way to know for certain what issue caused Miriam and Aaron to speak out against Moses.
Whatever the motive behind the complaint, the underlying attitude seems full of criticism, pride, and jealousy. Tired of Moses getting all the hype, Miriam and Aaron were ready to undermine his authority. In verse one Miriam’s name appears first indicating she was likely the one who initiated the smear campaign. Being in a position of influence herself, Miriam is playing a dangerous game as she incites others in rebellion against Moses. The woman who had led the women in praise to their God was now leading them into rebellion against the man of God’s choosing.
In Exodus 12:4-9, God basically called Miriam and Aaron into “the principal’s office.” Before all three siblings He delivered His words of judgment and disciplined Miriam by striking her with an instant and advanced case of leprosy. Aaron escaped the leprosy judgement which also indicates it was Miriam who led the complaint, serving as a cautionary tale to women in ministry today .
This episode in Miriam’s life is a sobering illustration of Proverbs 16:18, “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” God knew Miriam’s heart and asked, “Why then were you not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?” God had gifted Miriam, displayed His power in and around her, and placed her in a position of leadership. However, He did not look kindly upon her desire to overthrow the leader He had appointed over His people.
Aaron and Moses pleaded with the Lord to remove His judgment, and the Lord did so, but only after Miriam remained outside the camp for seven days, a humiliating and degrading experience for Miriam, the highly respected leader. For those of us reading this account, pause and remember the New Testament instruction: “Humble yourselves before the
Lord, and he will exalt you. Do not speak evil against one another” (James 4:10-11).
In both the Old and New Testaments Scripture teaches us God disciplines those He loves. Though He humbled Miriam through disease, He also restored her and forgave her sin. Also, her brothers did not stop loving her — even Moses, whom she had personally attacked, interceded to the Lord for her restoration. Additionally, the people of Israel did not reject Miriam but waited for her healing and return (Exodus 12:15).
For Thought and Discussion:
As Christians, we are all admonished to submit to one another out of our love for Christ (Ephesians 5:21).
We are also commanded to pray for those in authority over us (1 Timothy 2:1-2).
Married women are also instructed to submit to their own husbands in Ephesians 5:22-23.
Do you ever have difficulty in this area? Are you tempted to grumble, complain, and rebel against those God has placed over you in the church? Spend time confessing, asking for forgiveness, and for God’s help to obey His word.
Miriam’s Death and Legacy (Numbers 20:1; Micah 6:4)
After her restoration, Scripture is silent about Miriam. We do not hear from her again until her death: “And the people of Israel, the whole congregation, came into the wilderness of Zin in the first month, and the people stayed in Kadesh. And Miriam died there and was buried there” (Numbers 20:1). By most scholars’ accounts, she was 126 years old, and she had made it to the 40th year of Israel’s wanderings. (Aaron died a few months later at age 123, and Moses followed at age 120.)
An interesting and significant postscript to Miriam’s
story is in Micah 6:4. The words of God Himself recognizing His call on Miriam’s life:
“For I brought you up from the land of Egypt and redeemed you from the house of slavery, and I sent before you Moses, Aaron and Miriam.”
For Thought and Discussion:
How has God gifted, called, and used you? In the spirit of gratitude, thank God for how He has included you in His plan. Take the time to journal or to share with others how God’s grace has extended to you as a woman living in your time of history.
Conclusion:
Miriam’s indestructible sandals contained feet of clay. Like us, she stumbled and fell into sin and pride. Under the loving and holy hand of God, Miriam was humbled. And yet God named her as someone He called and sent as a leader of Israel. God remembers we are just dust, but just like on the day He formed Adam, He also knows His Spirit breathed into our beings is all we need to accomplish His will.
About the Writer: Ruth McDonald has served as the Director of FWB Women’s Ministries from November 2022 to November 2025. She came to this position after 38 years of ministry with her husband Donnie as a missionary with IM, Inc. (Free Will Baptist International Mission) in Japan. Born to church planters in the Pacific Northwest, Ruth has also lived in Arkansas, Missouri, Tennessee, Arizona, South Carolina… and, of course, Japan. During her years in Japan, Ruth actively participated in church planting, music, children’s ministry, evangelism, and discipleship. Ruth’s passion is for encouraging women in their faith through writing, speaking, and counseling. Donnie and Ruth have four young adult children and five grandchildren. Her family describes her as “crazy, fun-loving, talkative, and passionate.”
5 Reasons to Stay in the Church Nursery
BY: Carol Reid
Your church needs nursery volunteers. Every church does. Here are five good reasons you should be one.
1. Your church needs you. Yes, people appreciate worship services not disrupted by crying babies or rowdy toddlers. But more than that, your church needs you involved, participating, and sharing the workload. Worship is not a spectator sport. You don’t buy a ticket to sit and observe. Don’t be afraid to be part of the team, even if it means working behind the scenes. Your church needs you to be a servant.
2. Moms need you. For at least one hour, you can lift some young mother’s burdens and allow her to attend church without worrying about her baby. Encourage her. Support her. Moms need you to be a cheerleader.
3. Other women need you. You don’t stay in the nursery alone (at least, not if your church follows good childcare practices). Don’t miss a wonderful opportunity to minister to one another in fellowship and mentorship. As you serve together, you learn and grow. Other women need you to be a model.
4. Babies need you. No child has too many people loving him or her. As you learn babies’ names and personalities, you develop lifelong connections with them and their families. You are the first teacher outside their homes. You are a smiling face, a kind voice, and a gentle hug. Snuggle with them. Pray for them. One dad said he loved to pick up his baby from the church nursery smelling like someone’s perfume with someone’s lipstick on his little face. Babies need you as a safe place.
5. God’s kingdom needs you. When you serve in the nursery, you are not just filling an obligation. You are planting a seed. You are tending a garden. You are investing in the future. God’s kingdom needs you to be a builder.
About the Writer: Carol Reid lives in Old Hickory, Tennessee, and works part-time on the curriculum team at D6 Family Ministry. At the Donelson Fellowship, she regularly serves in the Kids’ Ministry and the Sew Much More life group. Carol enjoys her children and grandchildren, assorted crafts, bargain shopping, and puzzles of all kinds.
BEHIND THE SCENES
Worship Around the World
1. Mariah Duncan (MK to Ecuador) worshipping at ETEAM
2. A church service at Nova América FWB Church in Campinas, Brazil
3. Chame FWB Church in Chame, Panama - during the expansion and renovation of the church.
4. A church in Karachi, Pakistan celebrating the Risen Savior
5. Youth Camp in Ivory Coast
6. The 80th anniversary celebrations in Viñales, Cuba
7. God’s Love FWB Church, Lahore, Pakistan 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
THE OTHER SISTER
BY: Carol Reid
I’ve always sympathized with Martha. I have a Martha personality. I’m better at “doing” rather than sitting. I understand her. And I, too, have a perfect sister. You know the type — fits into her wedding gown 45 years later, cooks meals instead of eating out, has a perfectly kept home and money saved for retirement, visits shut-ins, and remembers birthdays. Everyone loves her, and she loves everyone. If Jesus came to visit, she’d be right next to Mary, and I’d be griping in the kitchen with Martha.
God’s Word includes the gospel account of Martha and her sister Mary for our instruction. Let’s drop in on the two sisters to learn a bit more about them.
Martha Knew Her Savior: Luke 10:38; John 11:1–44
What do we know about Martha? We know she lived in Bethany (about two miles east of Jerusalem). We know she had a (practically perfect) sister, Mary, and a brother, Lazarus. Luke 10 informs us they lived in her house.
When you and I say, “Come over to my house,” we don’t necessarily mean the house is deeded to us. But in this case, Martha was the homeowner. In the days of Christ, it was unusual for any woman to be a property owner. So how did Martha own this home? Maybe she inherited it from her husband when she was widowed. Perhaps she was a businesswoman who bought a home. Maybe it was her parents’ home she continued to manage (paying for the property tax and repairs) for her sickly brother and her sister. We don’t know. What we know is that she welcomed Jesus into her house.
For Thought and Discussion:
What is your living situation? Do you own a home? Do you share it with family? Is Jesus welcome in your home?
What could you do to make Him more
welcome? Think of three ideas and begin to implement them.
How did Martha meet Jesus? (I’m guessing the television drama series, The Chosen, has imagined the scenario!) Your sanctified imagination is as good as any television show, but we’ll have to wait until Heaven to verify the details.
From recorded Scripture, however, we can infer Martha had heard Jesus teach and had seen Him work miracles. She knew He was a Healer. When the two sisters sent word to Jesus their brother was ill, they certainly hoped He would come right away. But instead, Jesus delayed (John 11:6).
When we have a need, this is not the way we want Jesus to respond. We want Him to turn on the sirens and come immediately. Instant answers, speedy replies.
For Thought and Discussion:
When have you brought an urgent need to Jesus? How did He respond? Does He always respond like that?
In the case of Lazarus, Jesus’ beloved friend, the Savior arrived four days late to the funeral.
A crowd of Jews had gathered to console Martha and Mary, so Martha (again) had a houseful of company. But what did she do when she heard Jesus was coming? She went immediately to meet Him (John 11:20).
For Thought and Discussion:
Mary did what she was good at. (No, I’m not being snarky — at least not much.) What does verse 20 say about her?
Martha greeted Jesus with a statement of faith. Not expecting Lazarus to be raised from the dead, she was just stating facts: Jesus could have healed her brother. Jesus could ask anything from God and it would be granted. Martha’s was a big faith, recognizing the Great Physician, and acknowledging Jesus’ power with God. Through her tears, despite her disappoint-
ment, she spoke the truth about the Messiah and embraced Him as a Wonderful Savior, the Mighty God. But Jesus’ reply pushed her further — He invited Martha to trust. Your brother will rise again. Then give Martha an A+ for her Bible study for she was confident in God’s future resurrection of the dead. Perhaps she was present when Jesus spoke the words in John 5:21-26 or John 6:54. She was sound in her theology that Heaven is real, and the redeemed will go there to be with Jesus and our loved ones one day.
For Thought and Discussion:
What did Jesus say about the resurrection in John 5:21-26? What did Jesus teach about the resurrection in John 6:54?
You don’t think of deep grief as the best occasion for a theology lesson, but the truth about God and Who He is, gives a life raft for someone adrift in sorrow. Here, speaking to a sister still in deep mourning, with the casseroles still stacked up in the kitchen and the condolences on the lips of every visitor, Jesus gave Martha another I AM statement. “I am the resurrection and the life.” If we put our trust in Jesus, we accept Him as the Victor over death and the grave, because He is more powerful than death. Even if death comes, it is not the end. He guarantees eternal life. Inevitably, you, like Martha, will face grief. You will bury loved ones. You will feel the heart-crushing load of grief. Your world will rock as you rearrange your life to stretch over the gaps and adjust to the losses. In those difficult moments, join Martha in affirming, “Yes, Lord. I believe that You are the Christ” (verse 27). Accept the truth about Jesus, Who He is, and what He has done. Nail down your confidence in Him and His power, even when life is in turmoil.
What did Martha do next? She shared the news with her sister Mary. She brought Mary to see Jesus, too (verses 28–31). When your friends and family are grieving, take them to Jesus. Point them to the Savior
who cares for them.
Obviously, Martha and Mary had collaborated on the script here. Mary said exactly what her sister had told Jesus earlier (verses 21, 32). But Jesus’ response was different with this sister. Why? I’m not sure, but I am encouraged He tailors His responses to our needs at the time. He sees us as individuals.
For Thought and Discussion:
How does John 11:33–35 describe Jesus’ response to Mary and the other mourners?
What does this response teach you?
Jesus wept. When He saw their grief, He joined in. Even though He knew what was coming next, He cried along with the other mourners. This “Man of sorrows,” “acquainted with grief,” (Isaiah 53:3), shared their pain. Sometimes the best thing you can do for a friend is sit in her grief and cry with her. No need for theological answers or perfect greeting-card words. Just pass the Kleenex.
Then the funeral party went back to the cemetery, and we are ready for the miraculous resurrection of Lazarus. Unlike Jairus’ daughter (who had died only hours earlier) or the son of the widow of Nain (who had not yet been buried), Lazarus was in the tomb, and the tomb was sealed. He had been buried for 96 hours already. You gotta love practical, down-toearth Martha for what she said next (John 11:39). In those days there was no embalming. Even though she had wrapped spices in Lazurus’ grave clothes, the body had been in the tomb for days, and it stank!
But Jesus stopped her. “Didn’t I tell you?” He asked. Maybe He has said something similar to you and me when He is ready to act, and we are scared, afraid something will stink. We are nervous He can’t really come through. Jesus challenged Martha to trust Him. And when she allowed Him to do what He planned to do, everything changed. Her world shifted again. And the party really started.
For Thought and Discussion:
Have you seen a dream die? Maybe it’s been buried for days or for years, but God wants to resurrect it. Are you too scared to let Him do something big for you?
What big miracle has God spoken to you about? How do you need to step out of the way so that He can do what only He can do?
Martha’s Big Mistake: Luke 10:38–42
This story about Mary and Martha is very familiar. I know it well because it steps on my toes every time I read it.
In Luke 10:38-42, please notice Martha’s hospitality. She was having Jesus and His disciples for dinner, and there were no grocery store and no Kentucky Fried Chicken nearby. No paper plates. No refrigerator or microwave. She was up to her elbows, frying chicken, stuffing eggs, shining the silverware, folding the napkins, and Mary wouldn’t even put the ice in the glasses.
For Thought and Discussion:
What grade do you give yourself on hospitality?
Read through the following commands about hospitality in the Bible.
1 Peter 4:9
Romans 12:13
Hebrews 13:2
Deuteronomy 15:11
What excuse do you use for any shortcomings you have in this area?
What are the rewards of hospitality?
Brainstorm two ideas that could help you overcome your hesitancy to be hospitable.
Not only was she avoiding kitchen duty with her sister, but, according to the customs of the time, Mary was also involved in an entirely inappropriate activity. Outside their immediate families, women didn’t eat with men. They didn’t sit with men. Home Economics (taught by their mothers) was the extent of their schooling. Joining the disciples to listen at Jesus’ feet was an embarrassing breach of etiquette. Martha was trying to protect her sister’s reputation!
For Thought and Discussion:
Reread Luke 10:38-42 and write down three words to describe Mary and three words to describe Martha.
When Martha encouraged the Master to send Mary to the kitchen, He turned the tables, and Mary was not the one Jesus reprimanded. Maybe Martha had a bit of “poor me” in her whine, and Jesus quickly set her straight. Mary was not the problem; Martha was.
She was cumbered about, distracted, overdoing it (Luke 1:40). She was anxious and troubled about many things (verse 41). She was preparing a feast, not bologna sandwiches. She was going for Better Homes and Gardens, not home cooking.
Oh, Martha. I feel your pain.
Really, what woman in the twenty-first century doesn’t understand? You’re carrying this load of responsibilities. Who will do it if you don’t? Let’s think about it: finances and food prep and family gatherings. Add: carpools and grocery shopping and pediatricians and dentists and mammograms. And more: clothes to wash and dishes to put away and floors to vacuum. Work demands, volunteer opportunities, and neighbors to visit. These are all good things on your to-do list — but there are so many of them!
Jesus did not speak harshly to Martha. He called her by name, twice. Gently. You’ve probably used the same technique to quiet an overwrought child. And perhaps
If you, like Martha, are anxious and troubled about too many things, stop. Regroup. Decide to only do what is necessary. Choose the good thing,
He’s speaking your name today.
For Thought and Discussion:
Try this. Imagine Jesus calling you by name, twice. What would He say next? What would He encourage you to focus on?
Martha responded, “Don’t you care, Lord?”
Here’s the thing: He does care. He sees the load you are carrying. He understands. And He compassionately says, “You are trying to do too much.”
If you, like Martha, are anxious and troubled about too many things, stop. Regroup. Decide to only do what is necessary. Choose the good thing, like Mary did.
For Thought and Discussion:
But that’s the problem. What are you going to stop doing? What can you put
down right now to choose the good thing? You probably cannot give an easy answer. Commit it to the Lord in prayer and ask for His direction. Talk to your family about what matters most. Don’t waste your time on what doesn’t matter.
Mary chose to sit at Jesus’ feet, listening and learning. If you don’t have time for that, something needs to change — you are the only one who can change it. Sort your priorities, rearrange your schedule, make the hard choices to leave time for what is the good thing, the best thing. Without question, the Lord will reward you.
Martha 2.0: John 12:1–7
God is good to give us another glimpse of Martha, just before Jesus was crucified. John 12 has the whole cast
again: Jesus, the disciples, the resurrected Lazarus, Mary, and Martha. See Lazarus, at the table with Jesus, the symbol of fellowship. And Mary, personifying worship, recklessly anointing His feet with expensive perfume and (gasp) wiping His feet with her loosened hair. And what is Martha doing? She’s doing what she always does. Find her in verse 2, “Martha served.”
If the three siblings went to church with you, you’d find Mary on the worship team. Lazarus would definitely be a greeter. And Martha would be making coffee and staying in the nursery. She might even be the janitor.
This time … no reprimand from Jesus ... no complaining about Mary. And no frustration, criticism, or overload. Instead, Martha served. That’s who she was. That’s how God created her and gifted her. By serving, she showed her love for Jesus and made worship and fellowship possible for others. At last, she had her heart in the right place, allowing her sister and her brother to love Jesus as they should while she humbly served.
Take one more look back at John 11:5. Please, fellow “Marthas,” let’s underline it and highlight it in our Bibles. Jesus loved Martha. He loved her brother and sister, and we’re not surprised at that. But He loved the overworked, distracted, complaining Martha, too.
This is not a free pass to say you don’t have to get your act together and settle your priorities — not at all. If your service is going to please God, you must do it from the right heart with the right motives and attitude. Recognize that your service is the overflow from time you spend at Jesus’ feet.
Jesus loves you, even if you are a Martha. He delights in your service to your family and your church and your community and to Him. Just be sure you’ve chosen what is best and simplified the demands you’ve loaded onto yourself so that you please Him above all others.
For Thought and Discussion:
What steps can you take to reorder your priorities?
How can you choose what is best instead of being driven by what is expected or urgent?
Who will hold you accountable?
How can you plan for periodic schedule reviews to be sure you continue to find time to spend in worship and fellowship with Jesus?
About the Writer: Carol Reid lives in Old Hickory, Tennessee, and works part-time on the curriculum team at D6 Family Ministry. At the Donelson Fellowship, she regularly serves in the Kids’ Ministry and the Sew Much More life group. Carol enjoys her children and grandchildren, assorted crafts, bargain shopping, and puzzles of all kinds.
A fun note to parents: If you name your daughters Mary and Martha, it’s almost as bad as naming them Rachel and Leah. Someone will definitely feel resentful!
Check out the other sets of sisters in the Scripture. Here are a couple of hints:
Numbers 26:33; 27:1–11 (Now there are some baby names for your girls!)
Romans 16:12 (No, I don’t know anything about them either, except surely, they were twins!
Faith in Action
In a working-class suburb of Nashville, inside a humble church with a small congregation, a group of women is living out the best of Martha’s legacy — not the worry, but the work. With limited resources but a limitless heart, they meet needs, lift burdens, and quietly change the world, one act of service at a time. Treasure recently spoke with Diane Willey, the president of Richland Free Will Baptist Church Women Active for Christ (WAC).
Here are excerpts from that interview.
Treasure: How many women attend Richland Church?
And how many are a part of WAC?
Diane: About 25 women attend church, but only approximately 12 are involved in WAC.
Treasure: About what age are these WAC women?
Diane: Well, the youngest is in her early 30s, and the oldest is 85.
Treasure: Tell us about your oldest member.
Diane: Gladys Gragg is our oldest member, and she remains very active and passionate about WAC. She has consistently worked to ensure our church has a vibrant
women’s group for many years. She has remained determined that we know and love our missionaries and that we stay active in supporting Christian ministries in our community and around the world. She is a wonderful example, a student of the Word, and a faithful follower of Christ. In fact, she was the one who first brought me to church when I was 15.
Treasure: Diane, I’m looking at your giving for the past couple of years, and I see that your little group gave $8,235.73 and $6,394.25 respectively in 2023-24 and 2024-25. How did such a small group give so much?
Diane: By using our time and talents to multiply the
resources we have. We adopt a “Plan of Work” each year, broken down into monthly projects. On that list are things like missions, the local rescue mission, Free Will Baptist Family Ministries, and non-profits that help needy and homeless families. We do all kinds of creative projects to raise support for the ministries listed.
Treasure: Can you give us some examples?
Diane: Sure! We do spaghetti suppers, bake sales, rummage sales, special offerings, gift card campaigns, food and clothing drives, and craft classes, to name a few. One of our favorites each year is our project for the Nashville Rescue Mission. In October, we collect dried beans that they can use to serve nightly meals throughout the year. Last year, we collected 1500 pounds of beans and $300 in cash!
Treasure: That’s a lot of beans! How did you do it?
Diane: We made it fun and got church-wide participation by forming two teams. The healthy competition motivated everybody. Even some of the neighborhood people donated beans and money because word got out that our church is actively helping those in need.
Treasure: That’s a wonderful reputation for a church to have! Are there other ways you’re helping
people in need?
Diane: Yes, one of the ways we love helping is by sponsoring a food and clothing drive for a non-profit that my twin sister Dana works with. Throughout the year, we accept donations and collect offerings and then send the actual items to them. Last year, that amounted to over $1500. We also collected money and baby items for the “Baby Boutique” of Free Will Baptist Family Ministries, which helps women in crisis due to unplanned pregnancy.
Treasure: So, Diane, I’ve done the math, and it breaks down to $686 per year per WAC member that your group has given. Would you say your women are wealthy or have more means than most?
Diane: Absolutely not! We are working-class, retired, widows. We just give what we have — our talents, time, and resources — and trust God to multiply and bless it for His Kingdom. One of our ladies makes bread and sells it to give. We each do what we can.
Treasure: Thank you, Diane. Your group is such an example of service, faithfulness, and creativity. You are an inspiration to us all!
BEHIND THE SCENES
Woman’s Ministry Outreach
1. Baby Shower at Care Net Pregnancy Center: Bryants, Florida
2. Homeless Ministry: Ohio
3. Cooks for Homeless Ministry: Ohio
4. Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Ministry: Ohio
5. Disaster Relief Ministry: Texas
6. SonShine Card Ministry: Southside, Kentucky
7. Ronald McDonald House Donation: Ohio
8. Disaster Relief Ministry: Texas
9. Jamaica Mission Team: Seffner, Florida
10. Camp Eagle Volunteers: Central, Florida
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
DEBORAH THE JUDGE: HER INFLUENCE AND LEGACY
BY: Judy Lytle
As a woman, I am fascinated by the life of Deborah — a godly leader who engaged in battle with a distinctly feminine strength that complemented, rather than diminished, male leadership. She was no doormat. Though her story is not as widely known, Deborah’s influence remains powerfully relevant today. Her interesting story is found in Judges, chapters four and five. As we study her life, we see how God calls women in every generation to lead and to influence the world around them. Let’s learn from her story and dare to be a Deborah!
Historical Background
For the most part, the book of Judges is depressing. Israel seems never to learn her lesson. Again and again, we see a repeating cycle — and if we’re honest, we can often recognize that same pattern in our own lives. Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth summed it up well in a podcast on May 12, 2025. Check out: https:// www.reviveourhearts.com/podcast/revive-ourhearts/i-will-surely-go-you/.
Using the letter “D” from Deborah’s name, she marked each phase of the cycle. First, there was disobedience — God’s people turned away from Him, falling into idolatry, dishonesty, sexual immorality, and every kind of sin. Then came discipline — God disciplined His children. When suffering came from His discipline, His people arrived at a place of desperation and cried out to the Lord. In His mercy, God brought deliverance. This cycle is repeated seven times in Judges. Do you see it in your own life — or in the lives of others? Yet, in the midst of this sinful pattern, we can find a few bright lights. The story of Deborah is one of them.
Just the facts, ma’am!
Judges 4
1. After Ehud, a judge in Israel died, the people sinned again, and God allowed them to be captured by Jabin, King of Canaan (verses 1, 2). Disobedience
2. King Jabin cruelly oppressed the people of Israel for
twenty years (verse 3). Discipline
3. The commander of this opposing army was Sisera (verse 2).
4. The children of Israel cried out to the Lord for help (verse 3). Desperation
5. Deborah is introduced as a prophetess, a wife, and a judge (verse 4).
6. She was the only female judge mentioned in the Bible.
a. The people came to her to settle their disputes (verse 5).
b. Her courtroom was under the palm of Deborah (verse 5).
7. Deborah’s husband was Lappidoth (verse 4).
8. The Lord spoke to her (verse 6).
9. Barak, the commander of the troops, listened to her and the messages she received from God (verse 7).
10. She believed God for the victory (verse 7).
11. Barak was willing to fight, but only if Deborah went with him (verse 8).
12. Deborah was courageous and willing to go to battle with Barak (verse 9).
13. Deborah prophesied Barak would not be praised, receive a medal of honor, or receive the glory for winning the battle (verse 9).
14. Deborah prophesied the Lord’s victory over Sisera would be at the hands of a woman (verse 9).
15. During the battle, Deborah told Barak to get ready. God was going to give his army the victory (verse 14).
16. Barak believed Deborah and marched his army into battle, killing all Sisera’s warriors (verse 16).
17. Sisera fled from the battle and into the tent of Jael, assuming she was a friend because her husband had a treaty with King Jabin (verse 17).
18. Jael gave him milk to drink and a place to rest (verse 19).
19. While he was asleep, Jael drove a tent peg through his temple and into the ground (verse 21).
20. Barak chased Sisera to Jael’s tent, and she met Barak with the news of Sisera’s death (verse 22).
21. Israel saw God defeat Jabin, the Canaanite king (verse 23). Deliverance
22. Israel finally destroyed King Jabin (verse 24).
23. Deborah and Barak composed and sang a song of victory (Judges 5:1).
24. In the song, Deborah refers to herself as a mother in Israel (verse 7).
25. Several tribes were rebuked for not participating in the battle, namely Reuben, part of Manasseh, Dan, and Asher (Judges 15-17).
26. The song told the story of the battle, Jael, and Israel’s victory (Judges 5:2-31).
27. The hero of the battle was Jael, a woman, just as Deborah had prophesied (verse 9; 5:24-27).
28. Israel had peace for 40 years (Judges 5:31b).
More than the facts — My kind of woman — Deborah inspires me!
I am not aspiring to be a military commander, and Deborah wasn’t either. She was a prophetess (received messages from God and relayed them to the people) and a judge (settled the people’s disputes). She went into the battle because the army’s commander, Barak, asked her to go with him. Though she likely did not fight herself, she was there to support Barak and the troops. I think her armor was what we find in Ephesians 6:10-20 — the whole armor of God, His Word, faith, salvation, peace, and prayer. Deborah’s example motivates me to tackle daily challenges with confidence and trust in the Lord.
God saw admirable qualities in Deborah. She was the wife of Lappidoth, a woman of faith and a prophetess who regularly heard from the Lord. Taking her orders directly from the commander-in-chief — God
Almighty, El Shaddai, Deborah listened, believed, and acted without doubting His Word.
Barak and others under her leadership trusted her and followed. Every day she sat under the palm of Deborah to settle disputes, and the people respected her judgments. She was decisive. She was wise. She was just. Nowhere in Scripture do we see her leadership questioned. Yes, she was a woman, but she was respected and followed.
Would the people have been more willing to follow if she had been a man? I don’t think so. Deborah commanded respect. She was influential, yet she led with femininity — never belittling men or trying to take their place. Deborah rose to a position of leadership in Israel because no man was willing. Israel was in spiritual decay, and at times in history — including this one — we see a lack of male leadership.
Biblically, God gives men the role of spiritual leadership. As Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth explains: “It’s not to say the women don’t have a role, and biblically we do. But it’s to say that it should be of concern to men and to women if men are not providing the spiritual leadership and provision and protection for the flock of God.” (https://www. reviveourhearts.com/podcast/revive-our-hearts/ god-chooses-his-instruments-1/) (Revive our Hearts, October 5, 2011). When this doesn’t happen, God raises up women like Deborah — willing, called, and equipped for His service.
Some wonder why Barak didn’t just obey when God Almighty gave him the orders through Deborah. When the order came, he hesitated to fight — but he didn’t hesitate to ask her to go with him. Neither did she hesitate; she agreed. Apparently, he had more confidence with Deborah at his side.
She was courageous, fully believing God would give them the victory because He had promised it. Barak and the troops saw her courage and confidence. Yet, because of Barak’s reluctance to go without her, he would not receive medals or glory for winning.
We are challenged to be women of godly influence at home, in our marriage, as mothers, in our churches, in our workplace, and in our communities.We do this by our godly example and courage to battle for what Scripture teaches us is right and true.
Deborah prophesied the glory would go to a woman — and it did.
Initially, when we read verse 9, we might think the credit would go to Deborah, since she went with Barak into battle and she was a woman. But no, the honor was given to another woman, Jael — and Deborah was fine with that.
As the battle raged and Sisera realized his army was losing, he deserted his troops and fled. What a brave man! He ran to the tent of Jael, assuming she would befriend him. She welcomed him inside, offered him milk, and gave him a place to rest. But while he slept, she drove a tent peg through his temple.
Jael’s actions are questionable, yet she was praised. In the context of war, her deed was considered an act of loyalty to God and to Israel.
Webster’s Dictionary defines an influencer as “one who exerts influence: a person who inspires or guides the actions of others.” In our technological age, there are other definitions involving social media and
business. For our purposes, I prefer to use Webster’s definition. Deborah was a woman of influence, an influencer. You may be thinking, “I’m not going to fight a war or have much influence at all.” But the truth is, each of us has a circle of influence. John Angell James, a clergyman and writer from the late 1700s and early 1800s, reminded us every woman has influence — and that influence is either for good or for harm.
In his book, Female Piety: The Young Woman’s Guide Through Life to Immortality, his wording may sound archaic today, but the meaning remains clear and relevant.
“Every woman whether rich or poor, married or single, has a circle of influence within which, according to her character, she is exerting a certain amount of power for good or harm. Every woman, by her virtue or her vice, by her folly or her wisdom, by her levity or her dignity, is adding something to our national elevation or degradation. A community is not likely to be overthrown where woman fulfills her mission,
for by the power of her noble heart over the hearts of others, she will raise that community from its ruins and restore it again to prosperity and joy.”
Wow! Do you see that? Our actions have wide-reaching influence. Deborah set a positive example, and in 2025, we are challenged to be women of godly influence at home, in our marriage, as mothers, in our churches, in our workplace, and in our communities. Can we change the world we live in? Yes! Maybe not the entire world, but we can change our part of it — and that influence can affect generations to come. We do this by our godly example and courage to battle for what Scripture teaches us is right and true.
Another quality Deborah demonstrated was unselfishness. She did not attempt to take credit for the victory. She shared the praise and accolades with Barak through the song they composed and sang together (Judges 5). It is one of the oldest recorded songs of victory in the Bible. Deborah also gave Jael the Medal of Honor for her act of bravery.
Application: Let’s Dare to be a Deborah
Do you know a Deborah, or someone who has Deborah-like qualities? In today’s world, just as in Deborah’s time, strong women are called to lead and inspire. God is still raising up Deborahs — women of courage and faith who will shape the world for His glory. I think of many influential Free Will Baptist women but only mention the three special women who influenced my own life.
Our first Free Will Baptist missionaries, Laura Belle Barnard and Mabel Willey, were bold and courageous leaders who inspired and influenced their generation and others to come. Laura Belle assaulted the forces of evil in southern India as a single woman, and alone did the grunt work to carve out a lasting ministry. Mabel (Mom) armed herself with the weapons of her Bible and an English-Spanish dictionary to reach people for Christ in Cuba and Panama. Dr. Mary Ruth Wisehart was a trailblazer in education, and only through grit
and determination, she earned four degrees, the last one, a PhD from George Peabody College. These three women worked effectively with both male and female colleagues, showing leadership transcends gender roles.
Look around you — at your home, your church, your state, and your nation. Is there not a place for good, godly leaders? God is calling women to influence their world, whether it be a small circle or a much larger one. We all have our place. When God works through us as women — whether as wives, mothers, employees, church members, or community participants — we must remember we are simply instruments in His hand, influencing the greater spiritual battles around us. And let us be reminded it is God winning the battles, not us. Let us dare to be like Deborah, and exhibit the qualities of faith, courage, wisdom, confidence, influence, and willingness to be used of God. Dare to be a Deborah!
About the Writer:
Born in Southeast Missouri, Judy Lytle never imagined going to college or working anywhere but right around her hometown of Fredericktown. God had other plans and led her to Welch College (then Free Will Baptist Bible College), where she met Steve and discovered she could serve God anywhere in the world.
And that she did. In 1976, Steve, Judy, and 17-month-old Michael left for language school in Costa Rica and later served as missionaries in Panama for 30 years. Retiring in 2015, they settled in Nashville, Tennessee. They attend Cofer’s Chapel Free Will Baptist Church, where they are both active in ministry to the Hispanic community and the senior citizens. Currently, Judy is president of Cofer’s women’s ministry. She also worked for 10 years teaching elementary-aged boys and girls in a Good News Club.
TIGHTENING MY COMBAT BOOTS
BY: Kendal Truett
The day my husband deployed was one of the hardest I’ve experienced. After saying goodbye, driving home alone was surreal — he would be gone for nearly a year.
Walking into our empty home was even harder than I imagined. Suddenly I found myself in roles never carried before — caretaker, and now, protector of our home. I was terrified. How could I possibly shoulder the burdens that were mine in this deployment?
Over time, I realized even though my husband was the
soldier, and I wasn’t, I, too, needed to tighten my combat boots and prepare for the battles to be faced in his absence. I knew, just as Deborah (the judge in Judges 4:14) did: the Lord had already gone before me into this battle, and with that assurance, I found confidence in His deliverance and victory.
Before the deployment, I was often asked about my plans: Will you stay here, or will you go back home and be with your family? “I’m going to stay,” I would say with a smile on my face, displaying confidence on the outside, though shaking with fear and uncertainty
on the inside. How could I stay here by myself? How can I, an “Army wife” completely new to the military lifestyle, make a difference to the other spouses of deployed soldiers? Yet, even in my uncertainty and self-doubt, God gave me reassurance and comfort. Deborah teaches us that even when we feel like we are an unlikely choice for a situation, God can still use us to bring victory.
When my husband finally returned home, I could breathe again. The Lord delivered us. Along the way, God had granted me comfort, friendships, and encouragement. In blessing me with those things, He has become those things to me. He is my comfort and my guide. He is my friend and my encouragement. He is my victory, my deliverance, and my joy. I join Deborah in a song of worship to our God.
For Thought and Discussion:
How does the victory achieved through Deborah reflect God’s power and faithfulness in delivering His people?
How can I apply the lessons from Deborah’s story to my own life?
About the Writer:
Kendal Truett currently lives in El Paso, Texas, with her husband and two dogs, where he serves as an Army chaplain at Fort Bliss. She is involved in her chapel’s worship ministry and leads a study at a weekly women’s Bible study. Kendal loves spending time with her family, enjoying coffee on her back deck, and building new friendships.
Laura Belle Barnard: A Trailblazer
BY: Deborah St. Lawrence
Laura Belle Barnard blazed the trail of crosscultural missions for the newly formed Free Will Baptist denomination in 1935. The 27-year-old, single woman set sail for India with the promise of $20 a month. For ten years she requested reinforcements but faithfully served alone. Miss Barnard taught the children of those lowest in the Hindu caste system — the untouchables. As they learned to read and write, they also learned Scripture and biblical principles. Homes and lives were transformed. Visiting the villages, she shared the gospel. She served the sick and trained multi-lingual young women to assist her. While on furlough in 1940, she was asked to provide a syllabus for a missions class for a new Christian Workers Institute, the forerunner of Welch College. During her 1957 furlough, Dr. L. C. Johnson, President, recognizing a single missions class was inadequate, requested she join the faculty of Free Will Baptist Bible College. Miss Barnard declined repeated appeals, eventually relenting when the Foreign Missions Board endorsed the request. During her tenure at the College, she influenced scores of young men and women with her passionate declaration of each Christian’s responsibility to take the gospel to the unreached.
Retiring from teaching at age 65, she launched a new ministry in her hometown of Glennville, Georgia, serving the Mexican migrant workers in the area.
Following her retirement, she spoke at the Women’s National Auxiliary Convention (now Women Nationally Active For Christ). Tracing “Women’s Footprints on the Pages of History,” she cited Psalm 68:11 as her inspiration: “The Lord giveth the word; the women that publish the tidings are a great host” (ASV).
Recounting stories of biblical women who obeyed the call to serve God in both big and small ways, Miss Barnard enumerated common traits of these outstanding women. These traits might well describe Laura Belle herself.
Each woman:
• seemed intensely interested in understanding God’s work in the world.
• demonstrated readiness to respond when God indicated a place of service.
• selflessly placed God’s work ahead of her normal responsibilities or cultural boundaries.
• evidenced a sense of being sent by God.
• did not cherish material things.
• achieved far beyond her personal resources and abilities.
Miss Barnard declared they were, “God’s women doing God’s work in God’s way.” Acknowledging Eve’s participation in sin’s introduction to the world, Miss Barnard pointed out God’s wisdom in also using a woman to introduce a Savior, His Son. “Think you that God has not intended her to participate in publishing the tidings of a finished redemption, of proclaiming the Word? In our day of confusion, especially with regard to the role of women, I find it in my heart to urge both men and women to exhort women to accept their divinely appointed responsibility in God’s work.”
Miss Barnard did not allow her age, gender, marital status, economic situation, or circumstances to exempt her from accepting God’s mandate to take the gospel to the nations. Convinced of God’s calling on her life, this courageous woman led the way to India and aroused her denomination’s awareness of its responsibility to share the gospel with unreached people. Even when His direction did not seem to make sense, she responded obediently. Two decades later her legacy included two schools, four churches, numerous trained Christian workers, and a host of “untouchables” who met the One who longed to hold them close within His arms.
Her final plea from her “Footprints” message sounds a clarion call for today: “Where are today’s . . . Free Will Baptist women who, while sacrificing nothing of genuine womanhood, and giving offense to none, will . . . glorify God by their complete sacrifice of self? Let those rally who will join the age-long company of noble women in publishing the tidings!”
About the Writer:
Deborah St Lawrence is amazed by and thankful for God’s faithfulness, goodness, and grace. She enjoys good coffee (lots of it!), books, games, family, and friends. After 22 years with IM, Inc., she now works as IM’s freelance editor for ONE Magazine. She attends Cross Timbers Free Will Baptist Church in Nashville, Tennessee, where she has frequently held various offices in their local Women Active For Christ chapter.
A Church Miss Barnard built in India
Miss Barnard in India
Miss Barnard at Free Will Baptist Bible College
Miss Barnard
About the Writer:
Sarah Sargent loves to laugh and make others laugh even more. She is a third-generation member and leader in Free Will Baptist Women’s Ministries. She currently serves as president of the women’s ministry at Reynoldsburg Free Will Baptist Church and president of Ohio Free Will Baptist Women’s Ministries.
Giggles
BY SARAH SARGENT
Have you ever gotten church giggles while riding in the church van?
If your church has a van, then you probably already know the answer is “yes,” — whether it happened on the way to church camp, a concert, a retreat, or maybe a mission trip. My giggle story for today, though, took place on an ordinary Sunday-night pick up run.
This story stars a frequent flyer in my church giggles chronicles — my dad. One Sunday evening he was asked to pick up a sweet older lady who had requested a ride to church. My parents chose the roomy church van over their little Pinto so she could ride more comfortably. They helped her aboard and headed out. Not long into the ride, my dad realized they were going to be late.
Determined not to lose another second, Dad watched the traffic light sequence so he could take off the instant the light turned green. When he saw the green light, Dad punched the gas, and the van shot forward! At the same time, the sweet lady in the back exclaimed, “Whoa!” Dad glanced in the rearview mirror just in time to see her legs in the air — the bench seat had flipped backward from the sudden start! He quickly pulled over and set the seat upright. Thankfully she was fine, though she did wonder why they were in such a hurry. Later we discovered the previous driver had removed the seats and failed to secure them properly when replacing them.
The moral of the story is: if you are going to drive the van in a hurry, make sure all your seats are securely locked into place.
Just Being Ruthful*
BY Ruth McDonald
Sometimes the answers sound like they’re made up.
When you ask young people about their careers, you’ll hear about vocations that have only come into being in the past few years — driverless car engineer, drone operator, user experience designer, and cloud architect. These days, you’ll often hear words like content creator, app designer, or influencer. Basically, if someone builds a big enough online following to sway what people buy, how they vote, or even what they think, they’re considered an influencer. Some end up making a great living at it — and even become celebrities in the process.
Of course, the word influencer isn’t new. It originally meant simply “someone who influences others.” While most of us don’t have 10,000 followers online like today’s social media influencers, each of us still has the opportunity to influence the lives of those we interact with every day. As Christ-followers, we’ve been given the mandate to influence both the current and the next generation. Discipleship itself is about influence — sharing the gospel, passing on the teachings of Jesus, and living out the lifestyle He modeled.
I’m very excited about this year’s studies in Treasure, which focus on “Not So Famous Women of the Bible.” We will “Walk in Her Shoes” as we study the women who were not cast in the main role. They were supporting actors — obscure and often unnamed. What makes this study exciting is that each of them, though not famous, had a huge influence and left a meaningful legacy. Each month will focus on a woman who changed history by being obedient to the calling God had for her life.
Like them, each of us has the power to change the world. In the words of a wellloved hymn, written in 1868 by Daniel March, “Hark the Voice of Jesus Calling:”
“If you cannot cross the ocean, And the distant lands explore, You can find the lost around you, You can help them at your door; If you can not give your thousands, You can give the widow’s mite; What you truly give for Jesus, Will be precious in His sight.”
You are an influencer. Look around you. Stay faithful. Share the gospel. Pray. Change your world.
Blessings,
Ruth
“*Ruthful is an archaic English word (the opposite of ruthless) meaning “full of compassion.”
LIVING IN CHRIST’S SUFFICIENCY
Cuando nada es suficiente… Cristo lo es todo. Vivimos en una época marcada por la constante insatisfacción. Las redes sociales nos muestran vidas aparentemente perfectas: familias sonrientes, casas decoradas como revistas, viajes soñados, cuerpos idealizados y logros profesionales que parecen inalcanzables. Todo esto nos lleva a pensar que, si tan solo tuviéramos “eso”, entonces seríamos felices. Sin embargo, detrás de esas imágenes hay corazones que, al igual que los nuestros, también luchan con vacíos, dolores y preguntas profundas.
Como mujeres, cargamos expectativas intensas: ser buenas hijas, esposas, madres, profesionales, amigas y líderes en nuestras comunidades. Queremos abarcarlo todo, y cuando no alcanzamos alguno de esos estándares, sentimos que hemos fallado. Entonces surge la inquietud: “¿Qué me falta para sentirme plena?”
A veces lo que falta es muy concreto: un empleo estable, un diagnóstico favorable, un matrimonio, un hijo, una oportunidad. Otras veces lo que falta es más intangible: paz interior, alegría, motivación para seguir adelante. Y cuando esa necesidad no se cumple, la sensación de vacío se vuelve más fuerte. En esos momentos es cuando más fácilmente nos hacemos la pregunta: “¿Será suficiente Cristo cuando no recibo lo que pido?”
La realidad es que el vacío humano no se llena con cosas, personas o logros. Podemos alcanzar metas, comprar objetos, cambiar de entorno o incluso lograr sueños, y aun así sentirnos insatisfechas. El corazón humano fue diseñado con un anhelo que solo Dios puede saciar. Y ese Dios se reveló en la persona de Jesús, quien no vino simplemente a darnos lo que creemos necesitar, sino a mostrarnos que Él mismo es lo que más necesitamos. “Y me ha dicho: Bástate mi gracia; porque mi poder se perfecciona en la debilidad” (2 Corintios 12:9)
Cuando las manos están vacías, Cristo llena el corazón. Cuando las fuerzas se agotan, Cristo se convierte en fortaleza. Cuando las lágrimas nublan la visión, Cristo nos recuerda que nuestra esperanza es eterna. Su suficiencia no depende de nuestras circunstancias, sino de su carácter inmutable como Hijo de Dios, Salvador y Señor. Este artículo no busca dar frases motivacionales ni soluciones rápidas. Más bien, es una invitación a detenernos, mirar a Cristo y reconocer que, aun cuando la vida nos muestre carencias, en Él tenemos plenitud, descanso y propósito. Porque cuando nada es suficiente… Cristo lo es todo.
Parte 1: El espejismo de lo “necesario”
El corazón humano tiene una tendencia inevitable: convertir deseos en “necesidades absolutas”. Desde niñas escuchamos frases como “si logras esto, serás feliz” o “cuando tengas aquello, por fin estarás completa”. Y aunque suenan inofensivas, esas ideas se quedan grabadas en nuestra mente y nos acompañan hasta la adultez. ¿Cuántas veces hemos dicho: “Necesito ese trabajo para poder vivir tranquila”, “Necesito casarme para no sentirme sola”, o “Necesito que todo esté en orden para descansar”? La realidad es que lo que llamamos “necesidad” muchas veces es solo un deseo legítimo, pero no esencial, al que hemos dado un peso que no le corresponde. Marta y María: redefiniendo lo necesario
En la historia de Marta y María encontramos una escena muy reveladora. Marta estaba agobiada, corriendo de un lado a otro para que todo saliera perfecto. Para ella, lo necesario era atender cada detalle y servir a Jesús como la ocasión lo ameritaba. Pero María eligió sentarse a los pies del Maestro y escucharlo. Y en ese momento, Jesús pronunció unas palabras que atraviesan los siglos y llegan a nosotras hoy: “Marta, Marta, afanada y turbada estás con muchas cosas. Pero solo una cosa es necesaria; y María ha escogido la buena parte, la cual no le será quitada” (Lucas 10:41-42).
Jesús no despreció el servicio de Marta, pero sí le mostró que, en comparación con estar en su presencia, todo lo demás era secundario. Solo una cosa era realmente necesaria: Él mismo.
El espejismo del “si tan solo”
Vivimos persiguiendo espejismos que parecen prometer plenitud:“Si tan solo adelgazara un poco, me sentiría más segura de mí misma.” “Si tan solo tuviera mi propia casa, podría estar en paz.” “Si tan solo lograra ese ascenso, mi vida tendría propósito. “Si tan solo mi esposo cambiara, entonces podría ser feliz.”
El problema del “si tan solo” es que nunca se acaba. Hoy conseguimos una cosa y mañana ya sentimos que nos falta otra. Es como un pozo sin fondo: cuanto más echamos dentro, más vacío parece quedar.
La mujer samaritana en Juan 4 conocía bien ese ciclo. Había buscado saciar su vacío en diferentes relaciones, pero siempre volvía a tener sed. Jesús se le presentó como la verdadera respuesta: “El que bebiere del agua que yo le daré, no tendrá sed jamás; sino que el agua que yo le daré será en él una fuente de agua que salte para vida eterna” (Juan 4:14). El “si tan solo” se rompe cuando entendemos que nada creado puede llenar lo que solo el Creador puede satisfacer.
La verdadera necesidad
El pueblo de Israel experimentó este dilema en el desierto. Cada día recibían maná, pero aun así se quejaban: “Nos falta carne, nos falta agua, nos falta variedad.” Lo curioso es que nunca les faltó lo esencial, porque Dios mismo estaba con ellos. Moisés les recordó: “No solo de pan vivirá el hombre, más de todo lo que sale de la boca de Jehová vivirá el hombre” (Deuteronomio 8:3). Jesús, siglos después, lo reafirmó al decir: “Yo soy el pan de vida; el que a mí viene, nunca tendrá hambre; y el que en mí cree, no tendrá sed jamás” (Juan 6:35).
La verdadera necesidad no es lo que falta en la mesa, en la cuenta bancaria, en la familia o en el corazón. La verdadera necesidad es Cristo mismo. Todo lo demás puede ser bueno, pero solo Él es esencial.
Aplicación práctica
La próxima vez que sientas que algo falta para ser feliz, hazte esta pregunta: “Si tuviera eso que tanto quiero, ¿de verdad me garantizaría paz permanente?” Seguramente la respuesta será no. Entonces, en ese mismo momento, mira a Cristo y declara: “Tú eres lo que necesito. Eres suficiente para mí.”
Practicar esta disciplina espiritual cambia la manera en que enfrentamos la vida. Nos libera de la trampa del “si tan solo” y nos recuerda que ya tenemos lo más valioso: la presencia viva de Jesús en nosotras.
Una de las experiencias más duras de la vida cristiana es enfrentar un “no” de parte de Dios. Oramos con fe, clamamos con lágrimas y pedimos con insistencia, pero la respuesta no llega como esperamos. Es en esos momentos donde nuestra fe se pone a prueba: ¿seguiremos confiando en Dios aunque no cumpla nuestro deseo inmediato?
El ejemplo de Pablo y el “aguijón en la carne”
El apóstol Pablo nos abre su corazón en 2 Corintios 12:7-9. Confiesa que tenía un “aguijón en la carne” —algo doloroso, persistente, que lo hacía sentirse débil—. Tres veces pidió al Señor que se lo quitara, pero la respuesta no fue la esperada. Dios no lo sanó, no lo liberó de aquel aguijón. En lugar de eso, le dijo: “Bástate mi gracia; porque mi poder se perfecciona en la debilidad” (2 Corintios 12:9).
Es decir, el “no” de Dios no fue rechazo, sino una invitación a descubrir algo mayor: que la gracia de Cristo era suficiente para sostenerlo en medio de la debilidad. Pablo quería alivio, pero Dios quería mostrarle poder. Jesús en Getsemaní: el Hijo frente al “no”
Parte 2: Cuando Dios dice no: la escuela del desierto
Incluso Jesús enfrentó un “no” de parte del Padre. En Getsemaní, angustiado hasta la muerte, oró: “Padre mío, si es posible, pase de mí esta copa; pero no sea como yo quiero, sino como tú” (Mateo 26:39). El Padre no quitó la copa del sufrimiento. Jesús fue a la cruz. Pero gracias a esa obediencia, hoy tenemos salvación eterna. El “no” en Getsemaní se convirtió en el “sí” más grande de la historia para toda la humanidad. Esto nos recuerda que el plan de Dios siempre es más alto que nuestros planes (Isaías 55:8-9). A veces su “no” no tiene sentido en el presente, pero con el tiempo revela su propósito eterno.
Israel en el desierto: más que un castigo
El pueblo de Israel conoció bien lo que significa caminar en el desierto. Esperaban llegar rápido a la tierra prometida, pero Dios los hizo pasar por 40 años de pruebas. Allí tuvieron hambre, sed y cansancio. Sin embargo, el desierto no fue solo un castigo, fue un aula de aprendizaje. Allí aprendieron a depender del maná cada mañana. Allí bebieron agua de la roca, un milagro de provisión. Allí fueron guiados por una nube de día y una columna de fuego de noche.
El mensaje era claro: no se trataba solo de llegar a la tierra prometida, sino de aprender que Dios mismo era su mayor promesa. Moisés lo expresó con claridad: “Jehová tu Dios te hizo pasar por todo el camino de estos cuarenta años en el desierto… para hacerte saber que no solo de pan vivirá el hombre, sino de todo lo que sale de la boca de Jehová vivirá el hombre” (Deuteronomio 8:2-3). El desierto reveló que lo esencial no era la tierra fértil, sino la presencia del Dios fiel.
Job: un “no” que parecía injusto
Job también enfrentó un aparente “no” cuando perdió familia, salud y posesiones. Él no entendía por qué sufría, pero aun así declaró: “Jehová dio, y Jehová quitó; sea el nombre de Jehová bendito” (Job 1:21). Al final, Dios restauró su vida y le mostró que, incluso en medio de las pérdidas más grandes, Él seguía siendo digno de confianza.
Nuestros propios “no”
Hoy nosotras también escuchamos “no” de parte de Dios: Cuando una enfermedad no sana a pesar de nuestras oraciones. Cuando ese trabajo que parecía ideal no se abre. Cuando esa relación que anhelamos no se concreta. Cuando el milagro que tanto pedimos parece tardar.
Es ahí donde debemos recordar que el “no” de Dios nunca es falta de amor. Muchas veces, es protección. Otras, es dirección. Siempre, es una invitación a descubrir que su gracia es más grande que nuestra necesidad inmediata.
Aplicaciones prácticas
1. Recuerda la cruz en medio de la espera. Si Dios no escatimó a su propio Hijo, podemos confiar en que su “no” o su “espera” no son descuido, sino amor perfecto.
2. Mira lo que Dios ya ha hecho. En lugar de enfocarte en la oración no respondida, da gracias por todas las veces que sí respondió y te sostuvo.
3. Entrega tu voluntad. Al igual que Jesús en Getsemaní, ora diciendo: “Señor, no se haga mi voluntad, sino la tuya.” Esa oración abre el corazón a la paz, aun en medio de la incertidumbre.
4. Cambia la perspectiva. Pregúntate: “¿Qué me quiere enseñar Dios en este desierto?” Muchas veces, en lugar de quitar la carga, Dios fortalece nuestros hombros.
5. Una verdad transformadora. El “no” de Dios nunca es el final de la historia. Siempre es parte de un plan mayor. Puede doler, puede desconcertar, pero al mismo tiempo puede ser la manera en que Él nos muestra su suficiencia. Porque al final, no necesitamos tanto la respuesta que pedimos, sino al Dios que responde.
Parte 3: El peligro de medir a Dios por lo que me da Vivimos en un mundo donde todo se mide por lo que tenemos: éxito, posesiones, estabilidad, logros. Y sin darnos cuenta, muchas veces trasladamos esa mentalidad a nuestra relación con Dios. Pensamos: “Si Dios me da lo que pido, entonces me ama. Si no lo hace, tal vez no soy tan importante para Él.”
Pero esta forma de pensar es peligrosa, porque convierte nuestra fe en una transacción. Y Dios no es un cajero automático espiritual que responde a cada petición como nosotros queremos. Su amor no se mide por lo que
recibimos, sino por lo que ya nos dio en la cruz.
La cruz como la prueba máxima del amor de Dios
El apóstol Pablo lo expresó con una claridad impresionante: “Mas Dios muestra su amor para con nosotros, en que siendo aún pecadores, Cristo murió por nosotros” (Romanos 5:8). Ese versículo nos recuerda que la prueba suprema del amor de Dios no es un milagro concedido, ni una oración respondida, ni una bendición material recibida. La prueba es la cruz. Si alguna vez dudas del amor de Dios porque no recibiste algo que pediste, mira al Calvario. Allí está la evidencia eterna de que Dios ya hizo lo más grande: entregar a su Hijo por ti.
Pablo refuerza esta idea en Romanos 8:32: “El que no escatimó ni a su propio Hijo, sino que lo entregó por todos nosotros, ¿cómo no nos dará también con él todas las cosas?” El amor de Dios no se mide por lo inmediato, sino por lo eterno.
Una fe condicionada
Muchas veces condicionamos nuestra fe. Decimos: “Si Dios me sana, entonces lo alabaré.” “Si me da el empleo, entonces creeré que está conmigo.” “Si restaura mi familia, entonces confiaré en su fidelidad.”
Pero ese tipo de fe es frágil, porque depende de las circunstancias. Lo que Dios quiere es que aprendamos a confiar en Él por quien es, no solo por lo que hace. Recordemos a los amigos de Daniel frente al horno de fuego. Ellos dijeron al rey Nabucodonosor que Dios era poderoso para librarlos, pero añadieron algo sorprendente: “Y si no, sepa, oh rey, que no serviremos a tus dioses, ni adoraremos la estatua que has levantado” (Daniel 3:18).
Su fe no dependía del resultado, sino de la fidelidad de Dios. Ese es el tipo de fe madura que el Señor busca en nosotras.
La prosperidad aparente: un falso indicador
Otro error común es pensar que las riquezas materiales son la señal definitiva del favor de Dios. Sin embargo, la Biblia nos advierte lo contrario. Jesús mismo dijo: “Mirad, y guardaos de toda avaricia; porque la vida del hombre no consiste en la abundancia de los bienes que posee” (Lucas 12:15).
Podemos tener mucho y estar vacías, o tener poco y estar llenas de paz. La verdadera prosperidad no está en lo que poseemos, sino en conocer a Cristo. De hecho, hay personas que parecen prosperar sin Dios. El salmista Asaf lo notó y se sintió confundido al ver cómo los impíos vivían con abundancia (Salmo 73). Pero al entrar en la presencia de Dios comprendió que esa prosperidad era pasajera, mientras que su herencia en Dios era eterna. Medir a Dios por lo que nos da nos estanca
Cuando nuestra fe depende de lo que recibimos, nunca crecerá. Nos mantenemos en un nivel infantil, como un niño que solo ama a su madre cuando le da dulces. Pero el amor maduro reconoce el corazón detrás de la acción, no solo el regalo en sí. Crecer en la fe significa decir: “Señor, aunque no recibí lo que esperaba, sigo confiando en ti porque sé que eres bueno.” Esa es la fe que agrada a Dios.
Parte 4: Cristo en el centro: la fuente de verdadera plenitud
El corazón humano siempre está buscando plenitud. Desde niñas escuchamos frases como “cuando logres tu meta serás feliz” o “cuando tengas tu familia, sentirás que tu vida está completa”. Pero el problema es que, cuando esas metas se alcanzan, tarde o temprano aparece otra sensación de vacío. Lo que ayer parecía suficiente, hoy ya no lo es.
¿Por qué sucede esto? Porque nuestro corazón fue creado para algo más grande que los logros o posesiones de este mundo. Fuimos diseñadas para Dios mismo. Y hasta que Cristo ocupe el centro de nuestra vida, siempre habrá un hueco que nada ni nadie podrá llenar.
La plenitud que no depende de las circunstancias
El apóstol Pablo escribió a los colosenses una verdad que todavía nos sacude: “Y vosotros estáis completos en él, que es la cabeza de todo principado y potestad” (Colosenses 2:10). Pablo no dice “estaréis completos algún día” ni “serán completos cuando todo les salga bien”. Dice en tiempo presente: “estáis completos en Él.” Eso significa que hoy, con nuestras imperfecciones, nuestras luchas y nuestras necesidades, ya tene -
mos plenitud en Cristo.
Esto no implica que la vida será fácil. Significa que la paz y el gozo no dependen de tener todo en orden, sino de estar arraigadas en Él. Puedes estar atravesando una enfermedad y, sin embargo, experimentar plenitud porque Cristo es tu sanador y tu fortaleza. Puedes estar enfrentando soledad y, aun así, sentir plenitud porque Cristo es tu compañía constante. Puedes estar viviendo en escasez material, pero tener plenitud porque Cristo es tu proveedor fiel. La plenitud no elimina las pruebas, pero sí nos sostiene dentro de ellas.
Cristo no es un accesorio, es el centro
Un error común es tratar a Jesús como un “complemento” en nuestra vida. Lo añadimos a nuestra agenda como añadimos un accesorio a nuestra ropa: algo que embellece, pero no es esencial. Pero Jesús no vino a ser un accesorio. Vino a ser el centro. Cuando Él ocupa el lugar principal, todo lo demás encuentra su orden natural.
Jesús mismo lo explicó en Mateo 6:33: “Mas buscad primeramente el reino de Dios y su justicia, y todas estas cosas os serán añadidas.” No se trata de poner a Cristo en la lista junto a las demás prioridades, sino de hacerlo la base de toda la lista. Cuando Él es el centro, la familia, el trabajo, los sueños y las metas se alinean bajo su propósito.
El peligro de buscar plenitud en lo equivocado
La mujer samaritana buscaba plenitud en las relaciones (Juan 4). Había tenido varios maridos y aún así seguía insatisfecha. Jesús le mostró que lo que necesitaba no era otro hombre, sino el Agua viva que solo Él podía darle.
De la misma manera, nosotras podemos buscar plenitud en lugares equivocados: en una pareja, en un logro académico, en un estatus social, en la aprobación de otros. Pero todas esas fuentes son limitadas. Solo Cristo es inagotable.
Plenitud que se comparte
Cuando experimentamos la plenitud de Cristo, no podemos guardarla para nosotras. Esa plenitud nos impulsa a amar, servir y testificar. Una mujer que ha encontrado su identidad en Cristo ya no busca desesperadamente validación externa, porque sabe que ya es amada, escogida y aceptada. Por eso, puede amar a su familia sin depender de que ellos llenen su vacío. Puede servir en su iglesia sin buscar reconocimiento. Puede vivir con libertad porque su plenitud no depende de lo que otros piensen de ella.
Parte 5: Cómo vivir la suficiencia de Cristo en la vida diaria
Reconocer que Cristo es suficiente es una declaración poderosa, pero el desafío real comienza cuando lo llevamos a la práctica. En medio del ruido de la vida, la presión social, los problemas diarios y la comparación constante, ¿cómo podemos vivir cada día con la convicción de que Jesús realmente basta?
Aquí hay cinco principios que pueden guiarnos en este camino:
1. Redefine lo que significa “tener suficiente”
El mundo grita constantemente que necesitamos más. Más dinero, más belleza, más experiencias, más logros. Las redes sociales refuerzan esa mentira: vemos a otras personas viajando, comprando, disfrutando de cosas que tal vez nosotras no tenemos, y sentimos que nos falta algo.
Pero la Palabra de Dios nos recuerda que “tener suficiente” no significa tener todo lo que queremos, sino tener a Cristo en el centro de nuestra vida.El salmista lo expresó con claridad: “¿A quién tengo yo en los cielos sino a ti? Y fuera de ti nada deseo en la tierra. Mi carne y mi corazón desfallecen; mas la roca de mi corazón y mi porción es Dios para siempre” (Salmo 73:25-26). Cuando Cristo es nuestro tesoro, no importa cuánto nos falte en lo material, porque sabemos que lo esencial ya lo tenemos en Él.
2. Haz del contentamiento una disciplina espiritual
El contentamiento no es pasividad ni resignación. Es un aprendizaje continuo. El apóstol Pablo lo dijo claramente: “He aprendido a contentarme, cualquiera que sea mi situación” (Filipenses 4:11). Eso significa que el contentamiento se enseña y se practica. No viene de tenerlo todo, sino de aprender a descansar en Dios con lo que tenemos hoy.
3. Transforma la espera en adoración
La espera es uno de los mayores desafíos para el corazón humano. Esperar un empleo, un hijo, una sanidad, una respuesta. Pero lo que define esa espera no es cuánto dure, sino cómo la vivimos. Habacuc nos da un ejemplo impresionante de cómo convertir la espera en adoración: “Aunque la higuera no florezca, ni en las vides haya frutos, aunque falte el producto del olivo… con todo, yo me alegraré en Jehová, y me gozaré en el Dios de mi salvación” (Habacuc 3:17-18). Adorar en medio de la espera no cambia automáticamente la situación, pero sí cambia el corazón.
4. Vive con la eternidad en mente
Muchas veces nuestro descontento nace porque esperamos que esta vida nos lo dé todo. Pero la Biblia nos recuerda que somos peregrinas. Nuestra verdadera patria no está aquí, sino en el cielo. Pablo lo expresó así:“Mas nuestra ciudadanía está en los cielos, de donde también esperamos al Salvador, al Señor Jesucristo” (Filipenses 3:20).
Cuando recordamos que lo mejor está por venir, lo que hoy falta pierde peso. Lo que parece urgente en lo terrenal se coloca en perspectiva cuando pensamos en la eternidad.
5. Testifica con tu vida
Una de las maneras más poderosas de proclamar la suficiencia de Cristo es con la manera en que vivimos. Cuando las personas a tu alrededor ven que tu paz no depende de tus circunstancias, sino de tu confianza en Jesús, están viendo un testimonio vivo.
Jesús nos dijo: “Vosotros sois la luz del mundo… así alumbre vuestra luz delante de los hombres, para que vean vuestras buenas obras, y glorifiquen a vuestro Padre que está en los cielos” (Mateo 5:14,16).
Conclusión
La vida está llena de momentos en los que sentimos que nos falta algo. A veces son necesidades legítimas, otras veces son deseos profundos, y en ocasiones son simples comparaciones que nos roban la paz. El corazón humano siempre buscará más, pero la verdad gloriosa del evangelio es que en Cristo ya lo tenemos todo.
Él es nuestro Pan de vida, nuestra Roca firme, nuestro Buen Pastor, nuestro Consuelo, nuestro Refugio y nuestra Esperanza eterna. Cuando nos parece que no tenemos suficiente, su gracia nos recuerda que Cristo mismo es la respuesta a nuestra mayor necesidad.
Este mensaje no significa negar el dolor, la escasez o la espera; significa que aun en medio de todo eso podemos descansar porque la presencia de Jesús es suficiente. Como dijo Pablo, podemos aprender a contentarnos en cualquier circunstancia porque nuestra fortaleza viene de Él (Filipenses 4:11-13).
Hoy, querida lectora, te invito a soltar la carga de lo que sientes que te falta y a descansar en la plenitud de Cristo. Tal vez no tengas todas las respuestas, tal vez todavía no veas cumplido lo que anhelas, pero en Jesús tienes algo mucho mayor: la seguridad de que nunca estarás sola y que Él siempre será suficiente para tu corazón.
Oración final
Señor Jesús, gracias porque en ti encontramos lo que ninguna otra cosa puede darnos. Perdóname cuando he creído que necesito más de lo que ya me has dado en tu gracia. Ayúdame a vivir con un corazón contento, confiando en que Tú eres suficiente en todo momento. Que mi vida sea un testimonio de tu fidelidad, aun en medio de las pruebas. Y que cada día pueda recordar que, cuando nada es suficiente, Tú lo eres todo. Amén.
Sobre la escritora: Amairaní Ávila Báez tiene 31 años. Es esposa y madre de un hijo maravilloso. Es miembro de la Iglesia Jesús es el Centro en San Juan, Puerto Rico. Ha sido bendecida al crecer en el evangelio y siente una profunda pasión por servir donde pueda contribuir y ser útil en la obra de Dios.
