Bible Study - "A Celebration of Life"

Scripture: Ephesians 2:1-10

What are the things that bind women together? What are our common burdens? What are our hopes for the future? These are challenging questions. They are questions that women ask themselves daily. They are questions that are asked by women around the world, regardless of race, color, or creed.

This is not an easy world. Many women and girls are abused in some fashion everyday. We feel that we must take a lead in securing our own safety. A strong woman works out to keep her body in shape, but a woman of strength kneels in prayer to deal with her daily problems.

Sometimes there is not enough money to do all the things that we need to do for our families. Often we are frustrated when it seems that God has forsaken us. When problems mount up and available solutions are few, some of us lose hope—especially after our best efforts have failed. We feel that we have done everything right, and still our situation does not change.

Where do we find the answer for all these trials and tribulations? Hundreds of years ago, our Lord told women to "Come unto me." The invitation still stands today.

From birth, we struggle to find our place in this world. Consciously or not, we all search for identity. We search for self-worth and purpose. Somewhere along the way our definitions of who we are as women begin to form. They are usually molded by influences that surrounds us. We observe how others appear, how they behave, and how they get along in their situations of life. Then we decide whether we will do as well or better or worse.

This is a new millennium. We are new women with new attitudes, and we are contemplating new things. Yet our greatest hope in a new life remains the same as Jesus stands ready to help.

When our lives force us to make decisions, we can pattern ourselves after Deborah (Judges 4-5) who relied on God’s power and judgment. Or when our lives force us to make choices, we can follow the example of brave Queen Esther. God gave her wisdom and courage to save her people from a deadly situation (Esther 3-8). For women desiring to have families, consider Hannah’s songs of praise. Her request to the Lord was, "If you give me a child, I’ll bring him back to you." (1 Samuel 1-2:11).

Women have more in common than we often realize. We are all nurturers. We are constantly caring for children, husbands, parents, families and friends. Similar to the women of yesterday, and just like the women of tomorrow, our struggles remain the same.

Yet, in Ephesians 2:10, we find joy when Paul reminds us that we are all God’s masterpieces, created anew in Jesus Christ. For it is through that relationship that we can find true peace and fulfillment as we help others the way God has planned for us to do.

In all things, may we trust Him, serve Him, and be thankful.

Written by: Minnie Jackson