Mesmerized by the flowing white fabric draped from ceiling to floor and gathered softly in the middle, women breathed in the glorious sight. Finding their voices, they whispered, “It looks like a wedding in here.” Indeed, the transformed sanctuary resembled the setting for a royal wedding. A heavenly event between the Bridegroom of our souls and His beloved ones.

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Can you hear the strains of that old hymn: “I’m my Beloved’s and He is mine; His banner over me is love?” The song captures the essence of Scripture from the Song of Solomon 6:3-5. The Lord had definitely set a banquet before His ladies.

Wrapped in the evening’s love, women gathered around floral-accented tables. Conversations bounced from the dazzling setting to personal topics and the upcoming Bible Study, “Becoming a Woman Whose God is Enough.” The study was written by the evening’s guest speaker and best-selling author Cynthia Heald. After dining on a catered Greek menu, hearts were lifted to the Lord in worship, preparing them to receive the speaker’s words of wisdom.

Full of humor and humility, Cynthia shared the unexpected beginnings of how she started down the road to becoming a woman of excellence, herself. At 12-years-old, she had already surrendered her heart to Jesus, but as a married woman with three young children and a husband who worked long hours as a veterinarian, she was exasperated.

She threw herself across her bed in their tiny home and cried, “God, I give up!” She was 26 years old and oh, so tired. While lying there, she heard thoughts from God in her heart. “Good,” she heard Him say. “You’ve been trying to live life in your own strength. I would like you to move over and give me the steering wheel of your life.” Laughter rippled through the audience.

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As the attendees absorbed the importance of the speaker’s words, they sipped tea from dainty heirloom cups provided by the women’s ministry. A way to honor their guest speaker who enjoys tea as one of her favorite pastimes.

“Nothing changed outwardly at that moment, but everything changed inwardly,” Cynthia noted. She grasped hold of one Scripture that spoke directly to her, and it’s one she continues to follow today. John 15:5

“I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5 ESV

“Just stay connected to Him,” Cynthia urged. “Abide in Him. Let nothing distract you.” She encouraged women to put their hands in God’s hand and leave it there. “As I realized the love and supremacy of Christ, I permanently placed my hand in His and asked Him to take my life and lead me on His chosen path.” (From her website biography)

“He is my Shepherd and I want to go where He wants me to go,” she added.

Cynthia imparted to her audience a slice of her knowledge and immersion in God’s word. She also quoted from renowned evangelists such as Oswald Chambers and Andrew Murray as well as modern-day Pastor and preacher Paul Tripp.

“Put Trust in God First,” wrote Oswald Chambers in his devotional for a reading that falls on May 31st in his book, My Utmost For His Highest. Cynthia continued to quote him. “Our Lord never put His trust in any person. Yet He was never suspicious, never bitter, and never lost hope for anyone, because He put His trust in God first. He trusted absolutely in what God’s grace could do for others.”

Silence reigned over the room as women drank in Cynthia’s wisdom and instruction. In addition to putting God first before anyone else, our speaker admonished us to do everything as representatives of Christ, citing Colossians 3:12-13 and 17.

“Who Jesus is to me is who He wants me to be to others,” Cynthia concluded.

I wanted to experience God as Cynthia does. Wholly surrendered to God. My hand in His. Allowing Him to lead me.

Do you feel that longing as well? How do you let others see Jesus in you?

As the evening wrapped up in worship and a round of applause for our speaker, belongings were gathered and goodbyes said. Each one left knowing they stood on the threshold of becoming a woman whose God is enough.

Be sure to check out your local women’s gathering and Bible Study for this Fall. Perhaps you’ll find the refreshment and wisdom there just as I did through our church.

From My Heart to Yours,
Janis