The Making of Virtuous Ministers Wives!
Posted: Tuesday, July 07, 2009
by REV. MICHAEL A. FEMI-ADEBANJO
OUR LORD simply concluded the Great Commission with this promise in Matthew 28: 20,
Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
JESUS began by telling them that all power is divinely given unto him in heaven and in earth; and instructing his disciples to go and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: {The word teach connotes: to make disciples, or Christians of all nations} Refer to Isaiah 52:10; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:47; Acts. 2:38-39; Romans 10:18; and Colossians 1:23 What did Jesus instruct to be taught? The all-encompassing, wholesome, undiluted WORD of GOD. (John 1: 1-14). This blueprint is the owners manual of Mankind: The engrafted message of life is presented in the scriptures, but meant to be interpreted by Gods Spirit for the benefit of Man. This word has to be possessed by Men, for it is meant to present Men with their eternal possessions.
DEFINING DIVA?
Let me immerse my own thoughts into the mind-set of the legendary (and the most popular American) Preacher, Bishop T. D. Jakes concerning the ideal woman in Gods Vineyard. Now, what does it mean to be a Diva ? The word itself derives from Latin, and is the feminine form of the word Divus, meaning god. So Diva means goddess. Ps 82:6 says I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High. And John 10:34 says, Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?
During the Italian Renaissance, the word Diva became appropriated as Musical equivalent of the stage term prima-donna, a leading lady of first-rate talent, and usually with a first-rate ego. Today, a Diva is not just a superstar with an attitude, but a woman who has earned her place of prominence on lifes stage through her faithfulness to her unique calling, and to her God. She has embraced the special talents and abilities entrusted to her; weathered the life-storms of disappointments and losses, and emerged stronger and more resilient than ever. Like a vintage wine crafted with care from the finest fruits of the Vines or grapes of the heartiest vineyards, this kind of leading lady becomes only more exquisite as she grows older. She has learned to give herself away to those around her and beyond, pouring the sweet essence of her wine into each glass on her table. She perseveres to give with an open heart, not minding the misgivings and challenges of her position but, according to the will of God.
She is easily recognizable, but not like Queen Jezebel. She may be young, or middle-aged or older; the truth is that she appears uniquely impeccable in dividing the word of God. She is timeless in her beauty regardless of her chronological age. She catches the eye of every person in a place when she enters, whether it is with fanfare or just in greeting. There is just something about her that one can not just put a finger on. It is not a sense of entitlement or an elitist attitude of superiority. It transcends culture and economic status; goes beyond the education one receives from the University or School of Human Life Experiences . In her eyes you see a full range of emotion burning in a complex conflagration of passion for lost souls and for satisfying her husband (with whom she fulfils Gods will as it was bestowed on them).
She has a twinkling hint of humour; a compassionate spark of understanding, a flicker of gratitude to everyone, a blaze of humility, milk of kindness, and a touch of confidence fueled by a life-time of being on-stage as a leading lady in Gods Church and Gods Domain. She is a diva : With a natural grace and a transcendent poise, she commands a gathering without lifting a finger. Her husband finds her indispensable, virtuous, and an inseparable part of his ministry. Other Men find themselves attracted to the vitality and selfless ease with which she returns their gaze, as she stands-in for her spouse. Women find themselves wanting to draw closer to the magnetic creatures radiant femininity and undeniable strength. Youths find themselves submissive to the impeccable motherly guidance, warmth and admirable demeanour of this diva . And, Children find themselves wanting to be close to her: to suck that milk of kindness, and godly maternal essence.
Although it is unclear and indefinable when a leading lady crosses the threshold of her own virtuosity to become a diva , it is always clear when she emerge as beloved . There is no longer any sense of regret or resentment clouding her eyes about what might have been her failures in life. For she knows that her God has allowed all the odd-assortment of events and emotions, losses and gains, to shape who she is as GODs beautiful creature. Her confidence is at ease and does not need to inflate itself every five minutes by checking her appearance in the mirror, applying make-up or, fishing for a complement. She is at peace, and all cross-purposes in her life had been re-channeled to form a unified foundation of excellence in all that she does.
DIVAS MINISTERIAL QUALITIES
If we would not fool ourselves, a Ministers Wife is a Ministers Minister. She must possess pastoral qualities to augment her husbands standard. This will give a bite to their Churchs Good Health. Therefore, a Divas character and ministry assessment is based on these criteria, among others:
1. Spiritual Maturity (Christ-likeness).
2. Cooperation & Team Work.
3. Leadership with Discretion.
4. Teachable Spirit.
5. Hopefulness and Having Faith.
6. Reliability with Tenacity of Purpose (Or Courage).
7. Responsibility.
8. Motivation.
9. Disposition.
10. Emotional Stability.
11. Concern for Others, especially Strangers.
12. Appearance.
13. Perseverance, Uncommon Endurance.
14. Moral Integrity.
15. Social Maturity, including the ability to recover after a fall.
16. Ministry Potential.
17. Faithfulness to Ones Spouse.
18. Christian Character and Generosity.
19. Self Discipline.
20. Diligence and Devotion.
21. Passion for Lost Souls.
Moreover, a Divas emotional assessment is judged on what she must not overtly engage in:
1. Fearful Demeanour.
2. Angry Dispositions.
3. Aggressive Acts.
4. Manipulative Tendencies.
5. Partiality.
6. Shy or Timid Attitudes.
7. Gossip, Malice, Suspicion, Envy or Jealousy.
8. Hatred.
9. Sadness or Weakness at the face of Serious Occurrences.
10. Impatience and Lousiness.
11. Stinginess.
12. Unfaithfulness.
13. The Works of the Flesh. (Galatians 1: 19-21)
14. She must not have low self-esteem.
Can you see yourself as this woman described in this presentation: this extra-ordinary Diva ? What is the barrier obstructing you from stepping into your limelight? Maybe it would help to mention briefly, the legacies of the divas that lived before you. Though they are not Ministers Wives, they performed such functions as you should. A journey into their steps may increase your faith and strengthen your resolve to succeed beyond your present dreams.
DIVAS HALL OF FAME
1. Mary - Jesus Mother.
Her beauty and innocent obedience yielded unto the purposes of God. She relinquished her future plans and hopes (not even minding to lose her heart-throb, or being stoned to death for carrying a pregnancy before final rites of Marriage) for God to fill her with greatness. She nurtured her first-born son into adulthood. She watched as he grew with uncommon wisdom, discretion, knowledge and understanding. (Luke 2:42-52) She pushed him into performing his first miracle in Ministry (John 2: 1, 11; 4: 46). She passed through anguish, grief and sorrow of seeing his son inflicted with uncommon pain, disgrace, torture and gruesome death on the cross (John 19: 25-27 et al.) But she was revived by Gods Spirit. She never cursed God for the calamities of her calling, but waited for the promise of the Lord, her son. She was at the Upper Room (Acts.1: 12-14, 2: 1-4).
Marys quality as a Diva includes her ever-living hope; incredible faith; teachable spirit; uncommon endurance and Christ-likeness!
2. Eve - Mother of Human Race.
Her adventurous naivety gave her the bad record of being the midwife of the separation of humanity from its loving and all-graceful maker. However, she never packed it up. She took her discipline from God with grace and hope for the future. She lost her first two sons: Cain - to exile, and Abel - to death. But she accepted that God had not yet finished with her as she was opportuned to give birth to Seth who began Christs lineage (Gen. 4: 25).
Eves quality as a Diva includes her uncommon discretion, tenacity of purpose, perseverance and hopefulness.
3. Sarah - Mother of Nations.
Her acceptance of fate made her to fail the Faith Test. She gave Hagar, her maid, that chance to defile her matrimonial bed. She caused a problem for her descendants: Hagar gave birth to the Arab Tribes that torture and unsettle Israel till this day. She laughed at Gods promise as most of us still do today especially when our hope had lingered for long. But, on smart recovery, she denied the laughter and accepted her miracle at old age.
Sarahs quality as a Diva includes her smart recovery, evergreen faithfulness and devotion to her husband. What do you call your husband? Sarahs name for her darling is My Lord! She had an incredible patience and obedient heart. So beautiful, even at old age, she became a beneficiary of the divine covenant of procreativity. None shall be barren, henceforth, among our Ministers Wives: It is the will of God!
4. Rahab - Mother of Courage & Faith.
Yes, She was a harlot. But the woman with the scarlet letter and shame-faced past known in history as a woman willing to sell her body and its sensual services to the highest bidder received the Jewish spies sent by God through Joshua, and let down her crimson cord to let them go scot-free. God saved her life from being destroyed with Jericho Heb. 11: 31.
By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace.
Her acceptance of the faith in the Jewish God, a tender heart towards strangers and courage to call the bluff of the authorities of her heathen land of origin, qualified Rahab as a transformed Diva! (Joshua2: 1-3, 6: 17-25; Psalm. 87: 4, 89: 10; Isaiah 51: 9; Heb. 11:31 & James 2: 25 ).
5. Tabitha Dorcas - Mother of Benevolent Giving.
One of the greatest women recorded at the earliest beginning of the Christian Church, Tabitha (Greek interpretation, Dorcas). Her Philanthropism, kindness, good and generous-to-a-fault lifestyle birthed the greatness of her faith (Acts.9: 36-42). A Diva should be a giver of life, of hope, of sustenance to those around her.
She seemed to have something to give someone else, not considering herself. She died, but people missed the way she distributed the wealth, which God kept in her care and wept until God restored her life through Apostle Peter!
Lessons from the Biblical Divas Lives.
A. God cannot abandon those he had called! Things may seem so bad. But he knows Human limits, weaknesses, strengths, and when to intervene. He remembers your sacrifices and labours of love as you till, dress or water the grounds of His vineyard.
B. When you are down, weak, afflicted, besieged by the trauma of the calling, or even when you quake under the heaviness of the weight of your sins God stays above the situation, very strong, healing you at His own pace, making you a unique testimony from your traumatic experience and forgives you without remembering those sins again.
C. When we walk with the Lord in the lowly paths of free Service, he helps us to bear the strains of toil and the fret of care with trust that triumphs over wrong. He even supplies to us the winning word that moves those people, who are slow to believe, into His Fold. He is God!
D. Our refusing to give up, even when all efforts seem to fail, gives us the same tenacity, and staying power to maintain our successes when they come. Those who say In God, you are next to nothing today, will tremble to say With God, you are our hope tomorrow. Only Watch, Work & Pray!
E. Find Time To Be Alone With God: Your Power Source! While you strive to please others for Gods Ministry to move forward, remember that when you neglect yourselves and die, someone else will carry on after one minute silence is concluded. Do not strive to be a martyr who failed to care for her family because of Ministry pressure. Pray with, and for your husband. Settle misunderstandings before you retire to rest at nights. Get him to relax, to pray and to study before jumping into the days duties. When it is time to replenish yourselves, keep the flock outside. Remember, Jesus found time to pray, meditate and meet with his disciples. Solitude gives clarity to your vision!
YES, YOU CAN TOO!
You can also enter into this HALL OF FAME, depending on how ready you are to give yourself into the sacrificial work of God as Ministers Wives, as Mothers, as Virtuous Women! One Harmless Question: Have you found yourself or family in the situation of self-depletion, while others are still not appreciating your generosity? Does your family earn but a little, while you have had to give, and give, and give as you keep listening to the trials and travails of your active Church members and friends around you? Do you sometimes get broke and nobody comes to your aid because of the usual erroneous feeling that all the money in the Church ends up in your belly? Do you care for the sick, hungry and the discouraged, but all you hear is that your best is not enough? Does it look like life has been drained out of you, while you still live? Do you pass through so much distress when you have given so much, and God seemed to remain silent? Do you know that all feminine genders have the potential to fulfil your God-given role in this lifetime and be one of Gods Leading Ladies a Diva?
Kill the urge to complain about your educational standard or other self-limitations, your husbands income or spending power, the poor motivational and welfare state of the Ministry and join the League of those Gods Leading Women who have freed their minds to succeed where Great Men have failed! It is a Spiritual Power to move forward. The time has come for you to step out of Lifes Shadows, into the limelight of Success. John 10: 10 mean that Jesus died for you to be happy in your success. Do not be fooled: Becoming a Diva does not require play acting, boot-licking, or pretending to be something you are not. It only requires you to strip away all other roles and incomplete parts you have acted before, in order to discover who you are; what you are called to be; how you can best exercise faith in your husband while trusting God to guide you through the only authentic performance of which you are capable. If you must achieve great feats through Jesus, then, you need to pray in unique ways you have not prayed before for you to achieve what you have sought, but never achieved! Jesus is with us till the end of time, Amen!
Woman of God, It is time to stop waiting in the wings as a lady in purdah, and take your place on-stage. You can do it! Let us pray
Thanks, for your enviable patience, lovely Mothers: Virtuous Women of Substance!
THE REV. MICHEAL A. FEMI-ADEBANJO, MFA (UNIBEN)
Station Minister,
Wesley Methodist Church,
1, Harbour Road,
Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
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Top-level comments on this article: (1 total)What an inspirational article for a group of women who take a lot of attack in this day and age! thanks for sharing and encouraging! Love the diva reference!
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