Something special happens when we gather in community. There’s an encouragement that takes place deep in our hearts when we discover that we are not walking through life alone. There are people on the journey that we can link arms with, lifting each other up in the low moments and cheering each other on in the high ones.
This is the heart behind VOUS Girl – a community of women of all ages and backgrounds united together because we have the same heavenly Father.
Seasons come and go, and some of them are harder than others. We were designed to be in relationship not only with our Creator, but with the people God has placed in our lives. If there’s anything we’ve discovered, it’s that relationships are worth fighting for.
At VOUSCon 2023, we celebrated our VOUS Girl sisterhood in a workshop led by Pastor DawnCheré Wilkerson and Pastor Shelley Giglio. Below are some of the key takeaways from their conversation.
STARTING SMALL
The hidden seasons of our lives are often where God does the greatest work in our hearts. Starting small is no less important than the moment our life becomes known to people. It’s in the hidden moments that God builds us, shapes us, and transforms us. We can celebrate the unseen seasons because even when people don’t see us, God does.
Many of us are waiting on God for something. It’s in these hidden spaces that He teaches and equips us for the platform He’s preparing for us. We need patience to wait for His timing. In the right time, God will elevate us – that’s His job. In the meantime, we can choose to be grateful to be hidden by God’s hand.
DAILY DISCIPLINES
Walking with God is a journey. Big changes start with small habits, and habits are built around daily disciplines. We can dig deeper in our relationship with God by implementing small disciplines in our lives.
Most importantly, we must become students of God’s word. Allow scripture to be planted deep in our hearts. In the moments our lives are pressed on (and our lives will be pressed), what comes out of us should be the word of God. What’s beautiful about dedicating ourselves to scripture is that the more we start to know, the more we want to know. His word will hold us more than anything else ever will. Trends will not hold us, people will not hold us; only God will hold us. He is good on His word! Dig deep into what He says and hold it near to your heart.
LEADING LARGE
When we see a problem in our churches or organizations, our natural tendency is to go to God and ask Him what He plans to do about it. Our pain points and frustrations are usually an indication of where God wants to use us to bring a solution.
As we step into what He’s prepared us to do, He will bring the people He wants us to do it with. Our role is to lay down our preferences and plans, choosing to walk in obedience with a heart that says, “God, if you can use anyone, you can use me.”
Leadership doesn’t start when someone hands us a microphone – it starts the moment we say yes to Jesus. Don’t be afraid to trust God to do what He’s put a yearning in your heart for. You won’t be perfect, but you’ll make a seat at the table for the people who need a place to land.
STEWARDING SEASONS
Our hearts are often not prepared for the ups and downs and the highs and lows of life. The world tells us that we need more to do more, but nothing could be further from the truth. Everything we have in our hands is enough for whatever season we’re in. It’s not about what we have, it’s about what we do with what we have.
In moments where we are battling envy, wondering why the person next to us has more than what we have, we can shift our mindset to focus on what we can do with today. This moment.
Stewarding seasons is about staying committed to what God’s called us to do, choosing to steward what He’s given us with faithfulness and grace until He tells us otherwise.
HOLDING HOPE
If one thing is true, it’s that relationships are difficult. It’s not always easy to go the distance in relationships. Each person brings their own perspectives and proclivities. There are some seasons of our lives where it feels warranted to lose hope, but God is able to redeem, restore, and reconcile even the most impossible situations.
We don’t want to be surprised when God works a miracle, we want to be first in line saying, “I knew you could do that!” Ask him to put a deposit of faith in your heart when you feel like you have every right to jump ship. He can fill the gap.
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If you want to listen to this workshop, scroll to the top of this article and click play. For more conversations like this, join us at VOUSCon. Encounter God, be equipped as a leader, and be empowered to walk the journey.
Are you looking for a sisterhood of strength to be part of? VOUS Girl is a place for you! Visit vousgirl.com to learn more.
