It all took place about three years ago… I remember it like it was yesterday. I was at home teaching one of my piano students, when I had the brilliant thought to invite my student’s mother to our Devoted Women’s Conference. So I did just that and to my surprise she already had plans to attend. This was her very first year attending the conference so she had lots of questions to ask me. I knew how special this conference was going to be for all of the women attending because of Pastor Sharon’s heart for the girls. I was able to reassure her that she was in for a treat and that she would leave feeling blessed, loved and empowered in her walk with God. Conference came and went in a flash and I couldn’t wait to ask my friend about her devoted experience. As my lesson with her son approached, I got to ask her how she liked her experience. She then began to tell me how much it impacted her life. Many things touched her heart while being at the conference, but it’s what has taken place since conference that really showed me the fruit of her experience.
Devoted ignited a passion in her to lead a Bible study in her children’s school. In this Bible Study they began to delve deeper into one of our key speakers (Priscilla Shirer) resources, but this was just the start. Priscilla’s jam packed teachings and resources produced a shift in my friend’s perspective, especially relating to challenges she had faced in life. She then explained how she had begun to understand the enemy’s tactics just from the truth she had learned from Priscilla. That truth helped her to see purpose in her trials, but it doesn’t stop there. Her passion for prayer ignited as well. As a Mother of five that meant something big because she had often felt stuck in her season of raising children. God showed her how truly blessed she was/is, even though she had experiences that weren’t good at times.
Her Devoted Conference experience propelled her in a direction of growth spiritually that is still impacting her life and community today. Pretty incredible if you think about it. Hebrews 10:24-25 says, “Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.” This year a friend and I bought a ticket for someone in our world in hopes that they will accept and attend with us.
Our communities are full of people searching for something, and it’s our job to be God’s hands and feet, one invitation at a time. I hope we never forget to live our life with a sense of urgency because everyone needs Jesus. With this thought in mind, I encourage you to be prayerful about the women God wants you to impact this year.
Devoted Devotional By Bekah Tunnicliffe