Women across Upland came together at Pierce Church to fellowship and listen to guest speaker Rebecca Lindsay, ambassador for Taylor University on March 8.
The Bible study focused on Esther and Luke, highlighting God’s use of Esther and Mary in unusual circumstances with unusual opportunities. Lindsay offered personal stories of fear, obedience to Christ, faith and his provision.
“God’s will is perfect and he will have his way,” Lindsay said. “Even if you say no, it's not going to stop Him.”
In Luke 1, Mary is approached by God’s angel, Gabriel. He tells Mary that she will give birth to a Son, the Messiah who will be named Jesus.
Lindsay explained that despite Mary’s fear of the angel, she trusted God and his plan, willing to serve. Her song of praise exemplifies her faith in Luke 1:46-55.
“Because of Mary's faith, she can accept and lean into this great assignment without fear,” Lindsay said.
A Bible scholar described Esther to have transformed from a passive, compliant young woman who relied on her beauty to succeed to an amazing leader of the Jewish people, Lindsay said. Esther moves from someone weak to one with heroic world stature and political skill. Her story is about God’s sovereignty and faithfulness to use her so powerfully.
Both Esther and Mary responded to their situations in faith, according to Lindsay. Mary was afraid but brave. Esther was called to step up for such a time as this — so are we.
“The opposite of fear is not courage, it is faith,” Lindsay said.
She closed the night with a question: Where is God calling you to be brave and trust him?
Judi Knudsen, head of Pierce Church’s women's ministry, organized the Bible study at Pierce Church. Before having made plans with Lindsay, she said the women’s ministry team prayed to see what God would have them do.
The ministry team desired for women to go deeper in their walk with Jesus, understanding that there is victory and power in the Holy Spirit, Knudsen explained. That’s when someone suggested Rebecca Lindsay.
Carol Sisson, associate professor of education at Taylor, said that there were a lot of good things to take away from Lindsay’s talk. The main lesson Sisson gleaned was that God orders our steps and brings opportunities for us to serve him.
“And we miss out if we don’t walk in faith,” Sisson said.
During the planning process for the Bible study, Lindsay said she was reminded that God has a plan and a purpose for all of us. We don’t need to be afraid to step up when he calls us.
“We need to have faith and step out where God puts us, maybe [with the] people in our lives or situations we find ourselves in,” Lindsay said. “But God has put us there for a reason, so he expects us to stand up and do his work.”
