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A Working Woman

The ideal for many Chrisitan women today is to find a way to remain at home. To not need to work outside the home for the benefit of the family. We find ourselves longing for a more traditional life where we raise children and tend to the house, but that is not attainable to every woman for a variety of reasons.

Sometimes the husband cannot work, or the family needs the additional income that the wife working brings in. Perhaps a woman has not yet married or finds herself, for whatever reason, single once more. Some women just enjoy what working gives them. For whatever reason, we see many women in the workforce this day, and many of those women are strong, Christian women.

Entering the workforce carries a stigma from The Mommy Wars that I just do not want to get into. I highly respect any woman working, especially working mothers.

I look at the work that Priscilla accomplished by working that she would not otherwise complete. Especially for a Christian woman, getting out of the home means they can contact more people. By seeing the good, Christ-like example, others can learn of the Savior.

Did Priscilla talk to anyone during the day? Staying home with those she knew might not lead her to near as many missionary opportunities. The people she met and taught probably think of her fondly with heartfelt gratitude for sharing the story of Christ with them. How many lives are touched each and every day to turn towards God just because of someone they know at work? I doubt we can even fathom the number.

What should we do in our work, then? We should look toward Priscilla. She obviously worked diligently, letting herself be known by good products. We know this by the respect people held for her. Always do your best, in whatever the task. My children are sick and tired of hearing me say it, but the most true statement will always be: A job worth doing is worth doing well.

We should not hide our beliefs, our love of the Savior, our faith. We do not need to mention God every other word, but we also do not need to hide. Perhaps it is the cross you wear around your neck, or the fact that your desk holds a scripture a day calendar, or the story you tell about your child’s confirmation. You don’t know what small or large thing will matter to people, but remember that people watch each other. Your life teaches others what they need to know. Some people may never open a Bible, but they do see you.

Perhaps Priscilla hummed while she worked, maybe she offered a prayer over her lunch, or she conversed with customers over their order. Each thing she did, she let testify of her Christianity. We should do the same.

We also learn that Priscilla’s home, so filled with the Spirit of God, became a refuge for people. Referred to as a place of worship, Priscilla and her husband welcomed fellow believers with open arms and hearts. I long for people to consider my home as safe haven and a spiritual refuge! Oh how beautiful would my home be then, with the Spirit filling the rooms? A place where the Lord felt welcome, and His followers, too.

Before long, the two came across another minister, a highly educated man named Apollos. Though he studied hard and learned much, he came to them needing further guidance to truly understand Christ’s ministry. This hard working couple took Apollos under their wing and helped him further his spiritual journey that led him to become exceedingly influential in the early Church.

We do not always see the ways the Lord works through us. We do not see the things we do as special. It seems like nothing to hand someone a Bible. While we enjoy sharing the Savior with others, we may not realize the importance of that person. Who knows when our loving encouragement and help could bring someone to God that He uses to do utterly amazing things?

We should remember that we each have our own ministries. Some are more personal in nature while others are more public. When we are doing the things the Lord commands, our lives will reach a level of peace and fulfillment we can only dream about.

Never doubt the Lord’s plan. If he leads us to people to minister to, there is a good reason. Imagine if Priscilla said to the Lord she just didn’t want to deal with Apollos? Would he learn the things the Lord needed him to know?

Several times we see Priscilla and Aquilla praised for their faith. We also hear reference to them risking their lives for Paul. Just what did they do? Did they indeed lose their lives for their faith and for protecting Paul of Tarsus? At that occasion or another?

Priscilla must possess a courage beyond measure. Today, living in America, it is not so hard to be a Christian. No one really questions it, no one tries to take your life, things are pretty easy. Because of their heritage and faith, Priscilla and Aquilla had no choice in moving, the government forced them out of their home. When asked by Paul, once more she packed their bags and traveled long and dangerous roads. Threatened with bodily harm and death, she stood firm in her faith and alongside her husband and friend.

Can I meet such obstacles with such bravery? Can you? I pray we can. If ever you meet an obstacle, know I walk beside you as well as Priscilla. We bring with us many wonderful, strong women as well as the Lord.

I wish more of their story lasted to this day, but we find plenty to learn from this early saint and her husband.

Her love and devotion to the Lord and Aquilla are nothing short of beautiful.

–Lady O

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