The Power of Women: The Power of Community
WRITTEN BY: Sarah Macfarlane
The author of Luke lands us right into the messy vibrancy of community at the start of his gospel with the account of the birth of John the Baptist. Zechariah receives the news about John’s birth from an angel whilst he is serving God at the temple, surrounded by a community of God’s worshipping people. Luke drops us right into the restlessness of that gathered community as it waits for Zechariah to reappear; we can almost hear the whisper of awe when Zechariah returns and is unable to speak.
Further down the page, we are drawn into the quiet sisterhood of Elizabeth and Mary, two women who had received divine promises from a wonderfully good God and who sought refuge and mutual support in one another. We are not told much about the three months they spent together, only that together they declare blessing (v. 42-44) and praise (v. 46-55).
The Hidden Cost of Community
Praise is costly. Although for both women the news of a baby was good, the context was challenging: Elizabeth was old and Mary was unmarried. But together, they praised the Lord.
Our lives are lived in community whether we like it or not, and many of us will have been hurt by our communities in different ways. We read in Luke 1:25 that Elizabeth carried disgrace in her community because she was unable to have children. Verse 5 tells us the exact role Zechariah has in his community, one allotted to him because of the family he was born into. We too might have a role that we are obliged to fulfill in our communities that was given to us without choice. This may lead us to great things–perhaps we are a pastor and our faithful duty blesses those we serve! But for others, we may be held back from fully using all the gifts God has given us when we find ourselves in a community that is less than supportive of the roles we long to step into as women.
However, we see from this passage how integral community is to God’s plan for our flourishing.
The Flourishing of Community
God wants our rejoicing to be communal. Verse 14 states, “Many will rejoice because of His birth,” and verse 35, “Her neighbours and relatives…shared her joy.” How much more of a celebration is it to rejoice with friends than on your own?
Just as God calls us to rejoice with those who rejoice, we are also called to mourn with those who mourn in Romans 12:15. How good it is in this dark world when we can hear of God’s goodness to another? It lifts our head and reminds us that he will be good to all his people, even me.
In v. 59-64, the community calls Elizabeth to account over her choice of baby name, and Elizabeth rebukes them for choosing tradition over God’s command. Our obedience and understanding is enhanced when we submit to one another in the Lord. As we are told in Proverbs 27:17, “iron sharpens iron.” It’s clear God’s design for community includes accountability.
Community emboldens our declaration of the gospel. Our calling as women of God, chosen and redeemed, is to make the gospel known to the ends of the earth (Matthew 28:18-20). And that can begin in the community where God has placed us. As we draw on the resources of our Christian community, as we hear testimonies of God’s goodness and praise Him together, our joy shall overflow and reach those around us who do not yet know God so that they too can respond with joy!
The True Call of Community
So what can we learn from this passage to help us when the weight of community is hard?
Firstly, to stick with it. Zechariah fulfilled his call and served his community faithfully. We too are called to take our place in our community and serve faithfully, on the days God shows up in supernatural ways, and on the days when he doesn’t.
Secondly, to find our champions. Like Elizabeth and Mary, we need to find our sisters who will help us to praise God, in the times when we are aware of his blessing and favour and the times when we must trust beyond what we can see.
Let’s begin by praising God for his gift of community, embracing the power of community together:
My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour,
His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation.
He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants for ever, just as he promised our ancestors.
Praise the Lord!
(Luke 1:46-55 NIV)
About the Author
Sarah is a communications professional with over 15 years experience leading communications for a national education and cultural body. Sarah lives in Glasgow, UK, and is married to Ian. Together they have two children and two dogs. Being the mother of an 11-year-old girl reinforced Sarah’s belief that girls and women continue to face barriers in fully and safely participating in society, but Sarah is convinced that overcoming these inequalities in one area will have a positive impact for girls and women, wherever they are, so she is delighted to serve Women Speakers Collective as Email Marketing Assistant.
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