Hello, my name is Kris, and I’m a pastor in our women’s ministry - FAME. We are learning from women in the Old Testament. The woman I’m sharing with you is Rachel. Rachel was the favorite of Jacob’s two wives. She was also the mother of Joseph and Benjamin who became two of the twelve tribes of Israel.

I would like to share with you a scripture about this woman. Genesis chapter 29 verse 21 begins…

“Then Jacob continued on his journey and came to the land of the eastern peoples. 2 There he saw a well in the open country, with three flocks of sheep lying near it because the flocks were watered from that well. The stone over the mouth of the well was large. 3 When all the flocks were gathered there, the shepherds would roll the stone away from the well’s mouth and water the sheep. Then they would return the stone to its place over the mouth of the well.

4 Jacob asked the shepherds, “My brothers, where are you from?”

“We’re from Haran” they replied.”

And verse 9 continues…

9 While he was still talking with them, Rachel came with her father’s sheep, for she was a shepherd. 10 When Jacob saw Rachel daughter of his uncle Laban, and Laban’s sheep, he went over and rolled the stone away from the mouth of the well and watered his uncle’s sheep. Then 11 Jacob kissed Rachel and began to weep aloud. 12 He had told Rachel he was a relative of her father and son of Rebekah. So she ran and told her father.”

Verse 16 continues…  “Now Laban had two daughters; the name of the older was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel. 17 Leah had weak eyes, but Rachel had a lovely figure and was beautiful. 18 Jacob was in love with Rachel and said, “I’ll work for you seven years in return for your younger daughter Rachel.”

19 Laban said, …stay here with me.” 20 So Jacob served seven years to get Rachel, but they seemed like only a few days to him because of his love for her.”

This story resonates with me in two ways. First, I love the fact that Rachel was a shepherd. I imagine Rachel out in the sun, living her best life, shepherding those sheep so well. In spite of her outward beauty, Rachel must have had an inner beauty and strength that was reflected in the way she cared for those sheep. Rachel inspires me to be diligent in the things God has called me to.  I imagine she had a sense of purpose and was determined to keep those sheep safe and protected. I imagine Jacob couldn’t help but fall in love her. I really do believe contentment in our calling and in who we are causes us to be attractive in relationships.

Secondly, I see in Rachel, a woman who trusted God. Not only did Jacob work for seven years to get to marry Rachel, but Rachel also waited for seven years to get to marry Jacob. Seven years is a long time. Rachel’s story inspires me to be patient and trust God on the journey. Sometimes God doesn’t give us what we want when we want it, but He gives us what we need in His perfect timing.

I remember in my own life, so badly wanting to be married. I was in college and dating a guy I thought I would marry. However, he broke up with me. I was completely devastated and thought my life was over. It was a rock bottom moment in my life, but thankfully (after crying my guts out for a few days), I repented and re-dedicated my life to Jesus. I remember completely surrendering to God and the peace I felt as I trusted God with my life. I knew I wanted to be married someday, but I remember telling God I was done trying to figure things out on my own. Instead, I would patiently wait on Him. For me, waiting meant getting healthy, serving in my church, cultivating great friendships, bringing my grades back up, journaling and spending lots of time in prayer.

Right before I graduated college, a good friend of mine introduced me to Tobe, my amazing husband with whom I’ve just celebrated 21 years of marriage. I’m so grateful I met Tobe when I did. God’s timing was perfect. I had just been through a season of refining and had grown so much and was a much better version of myself.

Rachel waited seven years for Jacob. The number seven in the Bible represents perfection or completion. I wonder if God was working out and perfecting some things in Rachel’s life in those seven years. I believe if we let Him, if we trust Him with our lives, God will work in us and refine us to become the version of ourselves that is ready for His perfect will in His perfect time.

These days, you’ll find me alongside Tobe, planted in an amazing church, finding contentment and trusting God as we continue to dream big and become better versions of ourselves in Christ. I’m so glad God blessed me with a man who has a heart after God. I’m so glad God met me in my brokeness and gave me grace to trust Him.

Do you have big dreams? Are there miracles you’re believing for, in your own life? I hope you can apply this principle of finding contentment and trusting God.  We are part of an amazing church and it’s so easy to get plugged in and serve and find great friends who will encourage you and believe with you and come alongside you as you grow in God.

I’m so blessed by the women of FAME! 1 Corinthians 2:11 says “…eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” Sometimes it may seem like your miracle will never happen, you’ll never get that dream job, you’ll never have those miracle children, you’ll never meet your dream man, but it may just be that God is perfecting those things that concern you. We can’t even imagine what God has in store for us! Let’s continue to do what he’s called us to do and let’s continue to trust Him in the process.

I would love to hear from you. Please share in the comments below, the dreams you have for your life, how we can pray for you or a miracle you’ve received in God’s perfect timing!