Women’s Ministry Minute
May 4, 2020
With Leslie Penner
As we begin another month of the sheltering in place and physically distancing orders, we can begin to feel like we are in the middle of a storm in a leaky boat! When Paul’s ship was caught in a storm in Acts 27 it says, “We took such a violent battering from the storm that the next day they begn to throw the cargo overboard. On the third day, they threw the ship’s tackle overboard with their own hands.” All unnecessary things were tossed away so they could have a chance of survival. Just recently, I’ve watched some YouTube videos on living a minimalist lifestyle. I think I should clean out all my closets, drawers and cupboards during this time at home. Going through papers and pictures, making photos books and getting rid of things that haven’t been used for years are all tasks that make my list. My mind says that being a minimalist sounds so right, but my heart isn’t quite there. However, I have picked up some ideas and tips that I want to impliment from two channels, The Minimal Mom and Becoming Minimalist. Getting rid of things that I don’t use or need or love could free up space, time, thought and energy plus maybe bless someone else with some of my possessions that they could use. Watching these minimalist videos has lead me to the idea of essentialism. Not only asking myself what can I let go of, but what are the essential things to hold on to. In this time of worldwide crisis, what is essential for me to be doing with my life? Pauls’ experience was that they threw everything overboard that wasn’t essential in order for them to ride out the storm. What do we need to throw overboard and what do we need to keep in order to stay close to God during this storm? Can I let go of fretting and worrying, placing too many expectations on myself and my husband, mindless activities and bad habits so that I can focus on what’s most important? Can I be intentional in cultivating relationships with God, my family members, my sisters in Christ, friends and neighbors? I love the simplicity and directness of Jesus when he says to Martha, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better and it will not be taken from her.” Luke 10:41. According to Jesus, the one essential thing was to sit at his feet and learn from him. When Jesus is asked what is the greatest commandment or perhaps we could say the most essential, he says, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:37-40. So many things can be taken from us in the blink of an eye – our health, financial security, family, friends, jobs, homes and freedom. Let’s think about what is lasting and essential and daily pledge ourselves to hold on to those.