This post is written by Leslie Hudson as a companion for Unit 35, Session 4 of The Gospel Project for Adults, Volume 12: From This World to the World to Come (Summer 2024).
I remember my friend Michael Anne walking up to me in church around fifteen years ago. “I’ve read this book and it’s amazing. I’ve invited the author to come lead a women’s conference at our church. Would you help me?”
That was a loaded statement. First of all, our church was a wonderful place to worship but nowhere near anything that would host something like a large women’s conference. We were more of the fellowship-hall-gathering type of church; inviting lots of ladies would stretch our facility’s limits. Secondly, I’d never been involved in something like that; I didn’t know what I’d even be able to contribute. Not to mention: I’d never heard of this woman or her book, and it seemed like a makeup conference. But Michael Anne was so excited and passionate; I said yes.
When we had our first team meeting, I saw the rest of the ladies who would be heading up the event. It seemed a little overwhelming: how in the world could we pull this off? I was married without children but working full-time. All the other women were either full-time moms or worked outside the home. No one on our team was on staff at the church; we were all lay volunteers. Were we biting off more than we could chew? On top of that, we were already serving in many capacities at our church: I was leading Women’s Bible Study, Michael Anne was a leader in choir, Denette had just started planning a consignment sale to raise money for youth and children’s ministries. Again, was this too much?
But we all caught Michael Anne’s excitement and desire to bring ladies in to hear the hope of Jesus. We all got the book, read it, and decided it would be an amazing ministry to the ladies of our church and congregation. We couldn’t wait for all these women to hear her speak truth, hope, and love to them. So in the midst of our filled-to-overflowing lives, we accomplished all the tiny details that would be required to make this conference a success: we lined up a worship band, we found someone to bring food, we hired people for child care, we lined up people to clean before, during, and after. I have no idea where the money came from or if we broke even; that was never a topic of conversation. We simply made plans, supported by our church staff, and prayed that God would show Himself mighty.
The to-do list seemed to grow each time we met, but the ladies on that team took those responsibilities and worked hard. In the midst of it, God Himself provided His confirmation over and over: plans fell into place, interest came from other areas, ladies signed up from other churches, and excitement grew. Our desire to bring hope and love to as many women as possible seemed right around the corner.
As the conference opened on that Friday night, I realized just how much work we’d all put into it; we looked exhausted. But Michael Anne had encouraged us all to wear purple tops, signifying that we were daughters of the king, and we embraced the hundreds of women as they walked through that door. I remember taking photos during the event, sending them to my husband to have them printed, and then going home and turning them into a video collage at midnight. (This was before video editing!) We heard stories of lives changed, hope renewed, and recommitment to the Lord and His plan for the lives of those in attendance.
That speaker was amazing; her name is Angela Thomas, and Do You Think I’m Beautiful is still one of my favorite books today. Her message to us soaked into the soul, and I have heard from many women that it changed their faith from that moment on.
Looking back with the wisdom of age and fifteen years, I realize that it actually was too much to tackle. We were moms, wives, full-time employees, and church volunteers walking into a situation that was probably overwhelming. But God had given us the vision, and we desperately wanted the ladies to hear the story of hope as we worked to make it happen.
This week’s Scripture bears the same basic message: Paul was in chains, bound for a trial in Rome that could lead to his death. But instead of focusing on himself or his situation or self-preservation, he continued to serve others and direct them to find hope in God. He was exhausted, hungry, and likely wondering where or when it would all end. But at every turn of the journey, Paul helped others around him.
As you prepare for class this week, invite the Lord to show you where you can do the same. With eyes on Jesus, our entire perspective changes.
Leslie Hudson loves her mornings of silence, coffee, and Jesus—not in that order. She lives with her husband and kids in White Bluff, Tennessee, where they raise blueberries, figs, and bees. She loves to spend her free time reading, writing, journaling, and helping others know and follow Jesus.
