Sabbath Devotional :: "You cannot do what I need you to do in anonymity."

Image is *Leaving Eden* by Annie Henrie Nader

“You cannot do what I need you to do in anonymity.”

These were the exact words that came to my mind, leaving me both perplexed and a little afraid. I was struggling to know whether to step forward into an opportunity that would require more of me than I felt ready to give. I much preferred to just continue to work quietly behind the scenes, collaborating with other talented women and shielded a bit from both praise and criticism. As I continued to think and pray to fully understand those words that had come with perfect clarity but fuzzy application, I realized that this answer was not just for me, but for all of us.

How many times, particularly in the Church, are women busy behind the scenes making everything work and then stepping away without anyone even knowing we’ve been involved? How often are we happy and even eager to make a contribution, but only if we can fly under the radar while doing it? How many of us have lamented or even criticized organizations of all kinds that have too few women in leadership roles, while at the same time recoiling from the idea of personally stepping up to fill them?

Even when MWEG was created, one of the earliest intended strategies was to just work quietly behind the scenes and not bring attention to ourselves as an organization in any way. But it didn’t take long to realize that we couldn’t do the work we needed to do that way. Unfortunately, it is often difficult to imagine another way. All around us, women who seem to in any way seek out the limelight are often mistrusted, judged harshly, and unfairly criticized. Especially in today’s world of total accessibility and brutal internet trolls, is it any wonder that some of us would prefer the protection of anonymity?

But this is an organization created for the schooling of God’s daughters. And we know that, from the beginning, God has not intended for women to play a passive or quiet role. Consider our Mother Eve whose revealed story begins with her being specifically named and receiving a title. Hers was the role of ensuring that all of the children of the earth would have access to a savior and redeemer, and though she did not seek it, she was willing to accept that responsibility when it came.

The scriptures tell the stories of many women who humbly and faithfully prepared themselves for unknown callings which they then courageously stepped forward to fulfill. Many accepted impossible tasks and then miraculously accomplished them through faith and determination. These women are our spiritual foremothers. No doubt, most of them wondered at some point whether there was no other way. But consider these words from Mordecai to Esther, who was asked to risk her life to attempt to save her people, “For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place, but thou and thy father’s house shall be destroyed. . . .” (Esther 4:14)

My amazing MWEG sisters, we cannot be content to seek the comforts of anonymity when we have been prepared for such a time as this. Both for our own sakes and for the benefit of others, we must continue to seek God’s will and instructions in all things, and then be willing to boldly yet humbly rise to the call, whatever it may be. For “neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:15-16)