Bearing Burdens: A Women of Grace Event
"Bearing Burdens" is a women's ministry event that was held on 19 November 2022. This is a follow up from the first Women of Grace event in May where the ladies had a time to get to know one another and meet after a period of COVID separation.
It has probably been a busy year for many ladies. In a church of our size, our ladies could have and are possibly struggling with different issues. In our busyness, we may not have a time and space to articulate and process our struggles, both individually and others.
Worshipping God together
Thus, the goal of this event was to deepen relationships, and explore how God’s people help one another grow by bearing burdens. It was also intentionally designed to provide a space to be still before God both individually, and also together as a church family. We hope that as women come together not only to share and listen to one another, we can help each other turn to Jesus, the one who has borne all our burdens.
About 40 ladies gathered that morning, which began with a time of worship led by Megan Collins, with Sarah Zimmerman on the piano. The Romans Doxology and the hymn, "I hear the words of love" were intentionally chosen to turn the eyes of all present from the world and all its worries, and fix it on God.
Beholding God from Psalm 63
Next, Bibianna shared a devotion from Psalm 63, which can be found here. This is a wilderness psalm written by David, and it teaches us that when we’re in the wilderness, we are to behold our God and hope in Christ. The ladies were also prompted to consider their own lives and how they are navigating their own wilderness experiences. In their need, where do they turn to? Do they seek their own solutions, or do they turn to God?
David also writes about beholding God's glory and power. Worship is his solution in the wilderness, and the rest of the psalm brings out qualities of this God who is worthy of our beholding. Bibianna also pointed out how beholding is something that we may not be used to doing today, in a world where quick glances and skimming comes more naturally to us.
At the end of the devotion, the ladies were also prompted to see how Jesus Christ is the one who fulfills the psalm and is our true hope. Apart from Christ, our restless hearts will forever be thirsty and fainting in the wilderness.
A time for personal reflection
Following the devotion, the ladies were given a chance to reflect on God's word personally. The ladies spread out all over the room and the Fellowship Hall, and spent some quiet time alone.
This was intentionally built into the event's schedule. These ladies, like most of us, lead busy lives. They juggle different responsibilities and pressing demands on their time and energy. The world also constantly tells them different truths and persuades them to pursue a lifestyle and hopes that are contrary to God's. This time alone allowed them to be still before God, to turn to Him in repentance and faithful obedience. It was a productive and refreshing one for all present.
A time for group sharing and prayer
The quiet time alone also allowed for the women to list out prayer requests of a personal nature and also for their relationships. Personal requests pertained to their own walk with God, and included confession of sin, the desire for growth in holiness and Christlikeness etc. Requests for their relationships focused on all other parts of life, and many prayed for their family and friends. They also listed requests for the women in church and also our church community.
The women spent time praying in smaller groups for these requests. They had a good time of sharing and praying with each other, and in doing so, really practice burden bearing in God's family. It was an encouraging sight to see women of different ages and backgrounds care for one another in this way. Younger women prayed alongside more senior saints. Singles and marrieds shared their struggles and prayed for one another. There were also women of different nationalities present in the room and groups too.
Through this sharing, they were able to see how some struggles were common to many. Sin and brokenness is not just a personal struggle, but is something we all wrestle with even as we wait for the fulfilment of God's redemption and Christ's second coming.
Though some do struggle with unique challenges, the ladies also had the chance to love and care for a fellow sister by bringing their burdens to Jesus, the one who bears all our burdens. After all, we are not each other's saviour. We serve to point each other back to Christ who is our Saviour and the Good Shepherd who cares for and knows His sheep.
Loving and caring for each other after this
At this meeting, books were also given out. The full list of the books can be found here and span a range of topics. The goal was to encourage the ladies to read these books and grow, in order to help others grow too. They were encouraged to take the books and consider reading with others. Find out more about these books here.
It was an encouragement when all the books were given out! We hope that fruit will come as these ladies seek to love God with all their mind, and minister to those that God has placed in their paths.
We thank God for the opportunity to gather before the year ends. We are also thankful for the childcare volunteers and husbands that took time off to care for the children, to allow the women to meet! It is a wonderful picture of how the church works together for each other's growth in holiness.
Let us continue to pray for fruit to come from this event, that the women of GBC will continue to grow in godliness and holiness as they behold Christ. Let us pray that women of all ages and life stages will faithfully fight sin, and seek to love God with their heart, soul, mind and strength. In doing so, may they image Christ to a world that desperately needs to know Him.