We believe that every follower of Jesus is a supernatural minister of His good news. We are specifically called to be “mothers” in the faith, passing the baton to those coming after us, desiring to leave a double portion for them, realizing that our “ceiling” is their “floor”.---The Passion of CCC in Camp Hill, PA Women’s Ministry
As soon as I read these words on the Christ Community Church Women’s Ministry webpage, I was inspired. What an amazing passion!
Realizing that everything you’ve gone through and every obstacle and sin you’ve overcome, everything you’ve learned and every victory you’ve gained creates a foundation on which the next generation can build.
As I read this quote, I began thinking of my own Mom and the incredible spiritual investments that she made in my brother and my life, creating a platform from which we could build on and grow. As I thought about the generational iniquities she fought and overcame, the spiritual truths she learned and taught us, and the spiritual trails she blazed, I realized that we are reaping the rewards of building on her “ceiling”.
Then I started thinking about all of the women out there who didn’t have a born again Mom who was passionate about her relationship with Jesus Christ. Whose foundation are they going to build on?
The answer is found at the beginning of the passion statement: Each of us is called to be “spiritual mothers” to those who are younger in age and in spiritual maturity. We are called to teach them, encourage them, and train them in the ways of God, enabling them to reach new heights for the Kingdom of God.
The truth is that most of us understand this concept in the natural realm. There are very few parents that don’t want to see their children reach higher, go further, and have a better life then they’ve had. Most parents want to see their children learn from their mistakes and avoid the same pitfalls in their own lives. In the same way, they hope that their children will take advantage of the things they’ve done right in life and use these successes as a launching pad to achieve even greater success. After all, isn’t that why so many parents tolerate many inconveniences to allow their children to take lessons, play on a team, be part of a club, or advance their education?
In the same way, we need to get serious about fulfilling our role and calling as spiritual Moms. Rather than avoiding the hard work of discipleship, we need to start answering the call because that is what is best for the younger Christian women around us and the advancement of God’s kingdom.
Instead of being threatened that they will take our place or surpass us, we need to be equipping them to do exactly that. We need to grasp hold of the concept that “our ceiling is their floor” and give them the platform that is necessary for them to carry on the work of the kingdom of God.
You see, just as Paul gave specific instructions to women about how to be a godly wives and mothers, he also gave us the command to disciple other women.
Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God. (Titus 2:3-5)
Do you see it? The older women are called to teach the younger women how to be women who follow Jesus.
You may say, “How do I know if I fit into the category of older or younger---roles aren’t as easily defined now as they were in Biblical times?”
I believe that the answer to this is simple. Every woman is older than another woman. All of us have been where someone else is going. No matter how young you are, there is someone younger who is looking up you.
Here’s another important point: You don’t necessarily need to be physically older than another woman to disciple her or serve as a spiritual older woman in her life. You can also be “spiritually older” than another woman.
If you’ve learned a spiritual lesson, overcome an area in your life, or experienced growth spiritually, then you can teach that area to a woman who hasn’t learned the same lesson or experienced the same growth. Who knows? God could use your testimony and teaching to be the catalyst for change that revolutionizes her life.
The advancement of the kingdom of God in the world---that’s the goal. We are to take what we have learned and the work that God has done in our lives and teach it to those who are spiritually younger so that they learn from our example, grow, and reach greater heights in God’s kingdom.
What a powerful opportunity! What a way to influence lives and change the world! As you become a part of this cycle, you are finding your significant place in God’s plan---fulfilling the calling He placed on your life from the beginning of the world.
Truly, this is how God’s women can create a revolution in the world around them---by opening themselves up to be spiritual mothers to the other women in their sphere of influence. Oh, how the kingdom of God can be advanced when we truly allow them to build on the platform of what we’ve already established and reach new heights for God!
When our ceiling becomes their floor, we become part of a revolutionary army of women that can change lives for Christ! Seriously, what could be more significant?!!
