IPWF Spring Retreat
In Genesis 1-2 God gives Himself the task of ‘making a place’ in the world for creaturely habitation and flourishing. He separated light from darkness, the expanse from the waters, and the waters from the dry land. Throughout the two chapters, we see God’s love and benevolence as He crafted perfectly fit spaces and places for birds, fish, land animals, all kinds of vegetation, and yes, even ‘man’ (male and female) himself. Man has come to realize, that when creatures abide in the place where God has provided for them in nature, they thrive and flourish, and their health and well-being are preserved. When this is not the case, life is diminished, because stress and frustration sets in. You become like the fish that jumped out of water, only to discover that there’s no place for him on land!
As Pastor’s Wives or Clergy Wives, we are the ‘First Lady’ of the church, and there are expectations of us, most times unrealistic! As obedient and submissive women, we yield to the ‘call’ to serve the church in this capacity, we lead the women, we organize for the welfare of the children as ‘mothers’ and nurturers that we are, we ensure there’s food for every occasion or event of the church, we teach Sunday School classes, we teach children’s church, we sing in the choir, raise and nurture our own children, attend Diocesan, Area or Provincial meetings, and the list is endless!
Through it all the church is growing, people are getting saved and healed in your services, the Pastor is fulfilled, the home front is settled, the women are developing their skills and talents, their homes are at peace because they’ve learnt so much from you about how to keep the home front and be submissive wives, there’s a feeling of accomplishment on one hand, but there’s a gaping hole that begs to be filled on the other.
It’s as if there’s still a test you need to pass, as if there’s more to be done. It’s a feeling of dissatisfaction, and you keep asking “Lord, why am I so dissatisfied? I have every reason to be satisfied- but I’m not satisfied! Something is not right”
It’s because you you’re yet to find your unique place’! Yes, you have a place as a Pastor’s Wife, right beside your husband, you have a place as a ‘help’ meet for him, but there’s a place that God has for you in the ‘King’s domain’, there’s an assignment he’s created you for beyond being a Pastor’s wife, there is a group of people He’s sent you to, there’s a burden in God’s heart that He wants you to take care of! Where you are now is part of your training ground for that assignment, but the time will come when you need to get on your knees and find your place. You need to ask yourself, “What did God call me to do? What does He want me to do?”
Colossians 4:17 – “And say to Archippus, See that you discharge carefully (the duties of) the ministry and fulfil the stewardship which you have received in the Lord”
2 Timothy 4:5 – “But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you”
There’s ‘a work’, and there’s ‘the work’! You will only be rewarded by God for ‘the work’ that God has called you to do. You need to ‘find your place’ and stay there.
