She, Herself & God
For Every Joanna and Susanna
MONTHLY THEME: Women’s Ministry
FEATURED VERSE: “Soon afterward he went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with him, and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, and Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod’s household manager, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them out of their means.” (Luke 8:1-3, ESV)
My favorite local actress is not just famous for her good acting skills but for being a philanthropist as well. All throughout her career, she has been consistent in providing for others out of her own means. In every disaster, she will always be out there donating and volunteering. When it comes to any social issue, she will always be making a stand, raising awareness, and starting a movement. Even after she had reached the peak of her career, she never stopped helping others in any way she can. However, she is not the type who will always publicize the work that she does. It is the public who will report to the public her acts of service, which is hard to hide especially now that everybody has camera phones and social media.
Until today that she is married at last, my favorite actress never stops being a philanthropist, a superhero in her own way, and an angel to all that is why everybody loves her, literally. Even if there are times that she will make a mistake or two, people are quick to offer their forgiveness and understanding. Even if there are moments that her humanness is so evident, people will still be kind and considerate to her. And even if cancel culture exists and most famous people become victims of it, the public will never dare to cancel her because she is remembered for what she has consistently done: providing for others out of her own means.
How I wish we would do the same thing to women like Joanna and Susanna, who provided for the kingdom of God out of their own means. How I wish we could extend the same kindness and consideration to the generous givers that we have in the Lord’s vineyard. How I wish we would not belittle them in any way just because they are giving and not doing physical work like others do. How I wish we could see philanthropy as a ministry too and use it to advance God’s kingdom on earth. And by His grace, how I wish we would be philanthropists in our own way not just in times of disasters but in every season of our lives. Above all, how I wish we could provide for the church first before we provide for other institutions because we are kingdom citizens first before we are citizens of this world.
As a woman of God, there is nothing wrong with being an angel, a superhero, and a philanthropist as long as we are empowered by the Spirit of God to help others. And, we do not need to be an actress, a famous person, or an influencer to provide for others out of our own means. We can actually offer help right here, right now, to the church, to our families, and to the community that we belong to. In every disaster, we can also donate and volunteer and at the same time, represent Jesus to the lost and the helpless. When it comes to any social issue, we can make a stand, raise awareness, and start a movement too, not for our personal agenda but for the Lord’s agenda. And regardless if what we do is seen or not by the public, we should never stop helping others because we do it not for ourselves or anyone else but for an audience of One.
DEVOTIONAL PRAYER:
Father God, we thank You for all the Joannas and Susannas of today, who provide for Your kingdom out of their own means. We know that giving is not easy especially if we have limited resources, but these women inspire us to only look unto our limitless Lord so that giving will no longer be a big deal for us. We praise You for the selflessness, generosity, and kindness of every Joanna and Susanna we know, and we pray to also bear the fruit of the Holy Spirit so that we can be like them. Now if in case our ministry is not in giving, we ask You to empower us to still contribute to Your kingdom in our own ways. Please remind us too that we do not own anything in this world, which means we are only called to be stewards of all the blessings You give us. And these blessings do not refer to material things alone but to the people that we have in our lives: the church, our families, and the community that we belong to. So even if we cannot be a Joanna and a Susanna, we hope to be the women that you design us to be. All these we pray in Jesus’s mighty Name. Amen.
QUESTIONS TO PONDER:
If giving should not be made public like what the Bible says, how can we identify the givers in general? Or do we need to identify them in the first place? And if in case we have the opportunity to know those who provide for the kingdom of God out of their own means, do we have the right to tell others about their generosity? What if these givers request for anonymity, is it bad to at least share their secrets especially during FYI moments?
QUOTE TO REMEMBER:
Blessed are those who provide for the kingdom of God out of their own means.
