A wonder woman
“Before I had finished praying in my heart, I saw Rebekah coming out with her water jug on her shoulder. She went down to the spring and drew water. So I said to her, ‘Please give me a drink.’ She quickly lowered her jug from her shoulder and said, ‘Yes, have a drink, and I will water your camels, too! ‘ So I drank, and then she watered the camels.”
— Genesis 24:45-46
When a powerhouse pastor colleague from seminary who is now a United Methodist Bishop offered a short, rave review of the 2017 summer blockbuster “Wonder Woman,” we should take notice. Wonder Woman, a.k.a. Diana, princess of the Amazons, is trained to be an unconquerable warrior on a sheltered island paradise. Convinced she can stop the threat she learns of after an American pilot crashes on the island, Diana enters the war to end all wars, and, in doing so, discovers her full powers. She also learns her true destiny.
Rebekah’s true destiny is revealed in Genesis 24. Rebekah wasn’t trained to be an unconquerable hero; she was trained to be one who follows God. And she does.
Read Genesis 24 if you need a pick-up in your faith because here you see the reward for following God. Rebekah is asked to give water to a stranger AND his camels, and she does so without hesitation. She doesn’t blink. She doesn’t fuss, fret or worry if this request is too great. There’s no, “Wow! This could wear me out!”, “Is there enough water?” or “How many camels are there?” She doesn’t run scared like too many churches do today who have enough but fear what sharing will look like. She just does it.
I haven’t even seen a trailer for this 2017 film based on the DC Comics character, but I imagine Diana, in situations where she’s called to help others, just “does it” too.
Churches who lack influence on their communities are staying in their sheltered paradises, which, in truth, aren’t so blissful. Wherever your community is, look at your neighbors, neighborhoods, and the number of crashes that have happened in or near your backyard. It’s time to move. It’s time to be inspired. It is time to be empowered by our God who does want Her people to meet their true destiny. Worry? Cower? Be fearful? No.
Imagine what it looks like when we, like all women of agility and ability, meet a small or a great challenge with what God has given us, and what God has given us is more than enough.
There is a Wonder Woman who can inspire us today. Her name is Rebekah. Oh no, she was not perfect, but this accomplishment-oriented woman, when confronted with a need, took immediate action. Do the same.
_______________
PRAYER: Lord, make us wonderful through Your love. Amen.
Leave a Reply