~ Contributed by an anonymous Iron Rose Sister
I was reading Acts 13 this morning and noticed something that I don't remember noticing before. Luke is talking about the teachers of the early church and mentions Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch).
I began thinking God always seems to arrange for people of faith to be in the places of power. My thoughts moved on to how Moses and Manaen decided to use the knowledge they learned in these situations versus how Pharaoh and Herod used the same upbringing. I know Pharaoh and Moses weren't raised side-by-side, but in both cases choices were made for or against putting God first. I also thought of Joseph, Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego, and Nehemiah and how they choose to stick to their faith when employed in positions of power.
Most of us women are not in positions of political power, but we are in powerful positions to pass the faith on to the next generation.
In my case there was a large consequence to my mental health while standing firm despite the "no confidence" vote vocally proclaimed by my in-laws while I was pregnant. I know a stronger faith would have helped me focus on God's approval and not on trying to maintain my principles while keeping peace in the family.
However, I did make a choice to persevere in faith. My reward was a son who is helping me heal, who studies spiritual truths much deeper and broader than I ever did, and is teaching/encouraging me, and others to stand firm in the faith. Thank God for such a powerful blessing for the last third of my life!!!