5 Simple Ways a Woman Can Make a Monumental Difference
I must confess that right now I have a huge pile of laundry to conquer and a sink full of dishes. The charge to shine brightly and carry Jesus to the lost in this dark world seems beyond my capability. I can’t make time to wash my hair most weeks. How am I supposed to “go into the world” and “make disciples” when I can’t even get to the grocery store to make dinner for my family?
I am just an ordinary woman. Being a world changer on fire for Jesus seems like an impossible challenge most days.
How can I have a missionary heart in the midst of my daily life? Reading through the Bible, I’ve found inspiration from the lives of 5 women who made a monumental difference.
Ordinary acts of obedience can make an extraordinary difference in the lives of others.
5 Ways a Woman Can Make a Monumental Difference
She can pray
Oswald Chambers said, “Prayer does not fit us for the greater work; prayer is the greater work.” I can present the names of my neighbors to the One who transforms lives. Like a modern-day Esther, I am appointed to pray and fast and walk through whatever doors God may open for me to speak the Truth in love.
She can help
God loves to surprise us. If we are in tune with Him, He will present opportunities for us to meet needs and point people toward redemption. Just look at the servant girl in II Kings 5. Naaman needed healing, and she knew a healer. “Let me tell you about Elisha,” she said. Naaman was “all ears.” Right now, someone in your circle of influence needs help. If you respond, you might just help them find healing from their sin as well as help in a time of need.
She can encourage and support
Be a good friend who invests in others. Choose to be fully present, listen, and share your story like Priscilla in the New Testament. The church actually met in her home, and she partnered with her husband to encourage Paul, Apollos, and whoever God brought into her path. (I Corinthians 16:19; Acts 18:26)
She can invite others in
Do you know how to bake a cake? Can you make a pot of coffee? Maybe God wants you to use the gift of hospitality to encourage a hurting family and share the Good News. Lydia did. In Acts 16, we see her inviting people to her home as a springboard to inviting them to Christ.
She can serve
In Acts 9, Paul introduces us to Dorcas, an ordinary woman whose heart beat with compassion for the needy. Like Dorcas, we are called to love the least of these. We don’t need a seminary degree or a huge bank account to accomplish this mission. All we have to do is show up and be willing to get our hands dirty in the name of Jesus. We are called to be His hands and feet in this broken world.
You can choose to be a world changer right now. Pray, help, encourage, invite others in, and serve.
Taking one simple step of faith today can create a monumental difference tomorrow.
Can you believe it’s March already? Maybe like me you feel like the year is slipping through your fingers. But, don’t get discouraged. You can get on your knees starting today and fight for your loved ones in prayer. Prayer always makes a difference.
To help you get started, I’m sharing a copy of My Pray Big Prayer Calendar with you. Sign up today as a member of the Wildfire Faith Community and grab a copy in our Faith Fuel Library. Print out your copy and start each morning inviting God to do a monumental work in your life and the lives of your loved ones.
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She can do all things. Great is He who is in her!
That’s right, sister! God’s Strength > my weaknesss
I like these examples and this encouragement. I had forgotten about Dorcas – but the ordinary appeals to me.
I loved reading about Dorcas — such a reminder that little is much when God is in it. 🙂
Lyli I love your list here. So simple and practical. Reading this encourages me to no end today. It makes me think, “Yeah! I can bake a cake! I can make a phone call! And I can pray.” Thank you. Pinning all around now!
I think sometimes I make it too hard. I just need to show up and be willing really.
Amazing what obedience can do in our lives. If only we trust more to the voice of God. And hear it clear in the first place. Thank God for being so patient with us.
Yes, I think I talk myself out of many things because they are uncomfortable… but God didn’t call me to a life of comfort.
Lyli, wonderful and practical list. Just this week, God opened my eyes to new ways to encourage others. May we not limit Him but realize He can use every one of us to encourage if we but listen and act when He speaks. Blessings!
Would love to hear some of what you gleaned, friend. 🙂
Lyli, your list is simple yet many of us can relate to one or more of the difference-making ideas. You’re such a beautiful encourager.
Aw, thanks, friend! I am thankful for your friendship.
Iron sharpens iron.
xo
What wonderful reminders. Few of us might be called to do the “big things,” but we’re all called to serve God in these ways.
Yes,, every act of obedience makes a difference! xo
I don’t believe there is enough encouragement out there on the importance of obedience and the fruit it bears in an ordinary life. This is such refreshment!
I’m preaching to myself on this one big time, friend. I think I’ve gotten very good at making excuses.
Lyli, I can’t say enough how much I love this article. Most women relate to this balance of life’s mundane and daily tasks with wanting to do great things for Jesus. When I read Francis Chan’s book, “Crazy Love,” I took his advice. Pray each day for divine appointments; at the store, in my neighborhood, every place my feet trod…even at home with family and online where my mind and heart go (I added those last two, 🙂 ). And you know what? God surprises me with providing those meetings as you wrote. “God loves to surprise us. If we are in tune with Him, He will present opportunities for us to meet needs and point people toward redemption.”
This is a prayer I start each day with — Lord, help me not miss out not on any divine appointments you may have for me today. I think a lot of time I let busy get the best of me, and I miss out on those tender moments where God wants to show up if I will just slow down and really listen to people. I need to work on being fully present and stop focusing on being “productive.” Productive is not what is pleasing to God.
Found my heart saying, “YES, she can!” as I read this great post.
I know the truth that my actions are so small and limited in their scope — none of which is true of God!
I find it amazing how He works through the mundane, friend. Miracles in the making if I just am open and available.
Great tips Lyli. It’s too easy not to make the pot of coffee and invite a lonely neighbor in. I thought I’d need crumpets to go along – but I suppose those are excuses…. Ok….gonna do this!!!
Crumpets? Coming over 🙂
It is certainly the simple things of God that make all the difference!
What a lovely, useful, and powerful post! I found you over at Deb’s links. Thank you Lyli for the encouragement to be all that God makes us to be.
My unwashed hair and I thank you for this post, Lyli! : )
Ha
#KindredSpirit
Good pointers Lyli. Laundry multiplies and sock disappear, but we shine through.
I love every one of these very practical ways that we can make an impact on the lives of others! Thanks for the encouragement today. Some days just feel so…unimportant. It’s good to be reminded that we can make a difference right here we are!
I get overwhelmed when I think too hard about doing great things for God. I do much better asking for His help to be walk in obedience to the opportunities He gives me one day at a time. I love how you remind us of the simplicity of simple, daily obedience.
Thank you for this encouragement, Lyli! These “simple steps of faith” can make all the difference!
Well, obviously I am WAY late to the party, Lyli. But doing battle in prayer for those I love? I’ve got no other choice but to be there in this season.
Often …