Submitted by Sarah Gary Andersen AFB, Titus II
Having been a classroom teacher for many years before becoming a stay at home mom, I suppose my love of learning has never really left. I have merely shifted my focus from “best practices” to “godly practices” and what is “developmentally appropriate” to what is “spiritually appropriate”. With that being said, during this season of my life, God has been tugging at me to become more of a student of PWOC history so I may share that with others. To go beyond the mechanisms of a yearly theme and delve into the big picture. As you may or may not know, the yearly theme is prayed about and fleshed out up to two years in advance. By looking back, I think I can see the common thread and where we as a worldwide body of believers are headed. While this is merely a highlight of the scriptures used in the past few years, I encourage you to look them up yourselves and put them together so it reads like a story. While I used several versions and translations, I found The Message was the best for simple “flow” and readability.
Starting in 2005/2006, the year PWOC Europe and PWOC USA merged, the theme was “We Are Workers Together For Christ”. How fitting our motto was used along with scripture from 1 Corinthians 3:9 and Hebrews 10:24-25. We focused our studies, prayers, and programs on working together for a common purpose. Working for what? For 2006/2007’s theme of unity. We can’t be unified if we can’t work together and we were then being called (as always) to have “Unity to Let the World Know” based on John 17:23. So we banded together to let the world know. And what a glorious message the gift of salvation is. But once we have acknowledged and accepted that, then what?
The next logical step was to then prepare. In 2007/2008, once we knew of what Christ had done for us, we then had to get ready for His coming back. Because once you believe, you are called to do. God no longer is a noun, but becomes a verb. We are to use our unique gifts in His service for His creation and to be like the wise virgins who were prepared for their bridegroom’s arrival. This is based on Matthew 25:1-13 and Ephesians 4:11-13. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to be in front of Jesus and He not know who I am.
So we have now been together, in unity, preparing to sit “At the Redeemer’s Feet.” In 2008/2009 we should have been focusing on Ruth 4:14-15 and a kinsman redeemer. Last year was a time to sit and reflect on what it means to be saved, cared for, provided for, and covered. Much like Mary, we were to “glean” from what Jesus has to say and be content for a season to simply worship and adore Him. To truly soak into every pore and cell of our created bodies exactly what price Jesus paid for us, collectively and individually.
We are again being called to action ladies. This time, with the robes of righteousness and fragrant oil upon our heads poured by God Himself, to step boldly and in confidence in a world we are in and not of. Taken from 1 Peter 2:9-10 and Psalm 45:6-9, 2009/2010’s theme continues to build upon what we have been learning the past four years. We are worthy, beautiful daughters and can only win others to Christ by fully embracing it. Each program has been put together to encourage and educate us to behave like the royalty that we are. As the last lines of the theme explanation so eloquently say “In 2009/2010, we exhort our PWOC sisters to “rise” above difficult circumstances, celebrate their identity in Christ, and “proclaim the praises of Him, who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light!’”
I challenge you ladies into an awareness that you haven’t known before. An awareness of your history with this ministry, with your relationship with Christ, and with whatever God has called you to do. Keep seeking Him as you arise for He is certainly looking lovingly at us as He extends His scepter in expectation.
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