I started a ministry for women (and God used it to show me my own worth)

Queen in Gold

I started a ministry for women (and God used it to show me my own worth)

7/20/2018

While on holiday a few weeks ago, I (Riani) received a voice note from Bianca Swart, the chairperson of a ministry called Women of Worth (WOW). I was so excited about being contacted by a complete stranger who heads up a ministry I’ve never even heard of. I’m even more excited about being able to take hands with them and even head down to Bloemfontein for their conference in August.

WOW is only seven months old, which is pretty much the same age as Queen in Gold. It is such a privilege to support each other in this season. God is so faithful in opening doors.

In this article, Bianca shares about finding her worth and trusting in God.

Why we started WOW

Along with my team, I (Bianca) started WOW seven months ago, hoping to teach women something about how God sees them. Since then, God has actually done so much more in my own heart.

As a group of student leaders, we saw girls hoping to find their worth in a certain body shape or size, the affection of men or personal success. Something in our hearts just rose up against this and we felt God pressing it on us to address this in a radical way. That was the birth of WOW.

“Her value is more precious than jewels and her worth is far above rubies or pearls” – Proverb 31:10

It had to start with me

I went into it with an expectation that God will empower me with the skills and tools I needed to run this ministry. In spite the fact that I was in reality completely unqualified for the job, I felt quite chuffed with myself. I'm not even 21 and yet, together with my wonderful team, I was running a ministry and planning to host a conference affirming the worth of women.

"God made it clear that He will be mending our hearts first, and that my heart had the most work."

But my pride was soon to be buried...

God made it clear that He will be mending our hearts first, and that my heart had the most work.

I was humbled when I realized I can’t take even one ounce of credit for this ministry. All of it was His idea. Every sponsor we got was a gift out of His hand and every person involved was handpicked by Him.

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me, you can do nothing.”
-John 15:5

The lie I believed about worth

God showed me that for so long I found my worth in achievements and what people think of me. Then He revealed that I never did any of it on my own. He was the driving force who gave me favor in every endeavor I did in His name. He gives the vision and He provides the courage and the strength to produce that vision. Nothing was done in my own strength; for only in my weakness He is strong (2 Corinthians 12:9-10); my competence comes from Him (2 Corinthians 3:5)

"He gives the vision and He provides the courage and the strength to produce that vision."

He taught me that I can’t find my worth in anything but Him, because everything is from Him (Romans 11:36). I’ve learnt that it is best to be at rest, for my worth is in Him.

Trust His promises

He also gently taught me that trusting in His promise is a discipline. Trust in what He has called you to do, even when nobody else does, even when the odds are against you. He WILL produce what He promised. He WILL finish the good work He has started (Philippians 1:6).

God doesn’t call the qualified; He prefers teaching us ‘on the job’. When my team and I decided to start this movement, we knew nothing about conferences, non-profit organizations or affirming the worth of women. As the chairperson, you would at least expect me to have the whole worth thing figured out, but I most certainly didn’t. I simply knew what He was calling me to.

"God doesn’t call the qualified; He prefers teaching us ‘on the job’."

Through every Scripture He gave us, God made it clear that nothing comes from us and everything comes from Him. Actually, if you think about it, this is such a relief!

"We don’t have to have it all figured out. We don’t need a five-year plan, He will do it all! "

Our worth is not affected by success or failure anyway, so we can run after Him boldly - no matter what! We can just be the vessels God uses to do His work. We don’t have to have it all figured out. We don’t need a five-year plan, He will do it all! All we need to do is remain obedient; trust; love and be willing to get our hands dirty.

More about Bianca

Bianca hopes to change the world by being Jesus’ hand and feet. Apart from her love for Him, she really loves food, laughing (a lot) and impulsive adventures.

More about the WOW movement and their upcoming conference

If you want to find out more about Women of Worth, visit their website or Facebook page.

Also, don’t miss the very first WOW conference in Bloemfontein on the 4th of August.

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