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Living God’s Way

Early American mission organizations did not allow single women to serve overseas. But in 1823 Betsy Stockton knew she was called to follow God's way at all costs. After gaining freedom from slavery, Stockton was taught theology by her former master, the Reverend Ashbel Green. With a strong sense of God's call on her life, she applied to the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions. To her amazement, a post was available. Betsy agreed to her assignment as a lowly domestic servant to a missionary couple.

Serving in the independent nation of Hawaii, Betsy became the first single female Protestant missionary to travel overseas. Because or her education, her work expanded from household duties to conducting a school and providing teaching and training to the local people. Eventually, she traveled back to America, opening a school for Native Americans and planting a church for African Americans that continues to flourish today. Betsy, a woman, a former slave, a menial laborer, pioneered a new path for the Gospel because she was willing to look beyond the world's ways and live God's way.

The Apostle Paul calls each of us to the same commitment in today's passage from the twelfth chapter of Romans. He exhorts all believers …present your bodies a living sacrifice… in an act of worship to God. When we recognize all we are and every part of our life belongs to Him, we begin living God's way. Our part is to understand we are stewards of all He has entrusted to us. Every dream, every spiritual, emotional, and material resource, must be presented to Him as a daily act of surrender and worship.

As you engage with God’s word:

● What is God saying to you?

● What does it mean to you?

● What action step do you need to take?

After you reflect on these questions, bring everything to God in prayer.