Life is full of seasons. Some are difficult, and others are easy. Some are joyful, and others can be full of grief and pain. Some seasons are full of growth and success, and some are a time of God calling you deeper. Wherever you are in life, though, I know that God is there in the midst of it all with you. He has something to speak to you in your current situation, and He has a plan for your future.
Draw Close to God
God favors women who commit their lives to ministering to Him—who draw near to Him, worship Him, declare His worth on the earth, meditate on His Word and access His heart. Ministering to the Lord means loving God with all of our hearts. This is our primary calling, even above ministering to others. Learning to repent, trust God, and abide in Him are keys to remaining close to the Lord.
When we draw close to God, we will serve and work from a place of love and not for the sake of works or performance. Often, we can develop a works mentality. As we spend time with the Lord, He will bring breakthrough to our hearts, and we will see ourselves in the light of His glory. Ministering to the Lord is not burdensome—it is a privilege and honor. It is key to developing your identity; it is key to unlocking your destiny. Psalm 16:11 says, “You will make known to me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” If you’re facing confusion regarding who you are and what you’re designed to do with your life, try ministering to the Lord. As you consecrate yourself to God and spend time declaring His name and your love for Him, He will show you the path of life.
Transform From the Inside Out
If you remember the story of Esther, you know her journey to greatness and influence did not happen overnight. She did not arrive in the palace one day and have the king fall in love with her and make her queen the next. She had to endure a beautifying process mandated by Persian culture that included six months in oil of myrrh and six months in spices and ointments. Every young girl in the harem had to go through this process before she could even approach the king. Just as Esther endured a physical beautifying process to prepare for her assignment as queen, so must we go through a spiritual beautifying process as God prepares us for our destinies and purposes.
The refining of our characters is essential to God’s plan for our lives. God cannot use a proud woman (or man). The preparation process God takes us through presses and purges out impurities of the heart and spirit, such as pride, rebellion, selfishness and bitterness, so we can be pliable in the hands of the Lord to follow His lead to fulfill our purposes. We can’t be an effective vessel with baggage weighing on us, affecting our ability to hear and obey God. We can have far-reaching influence and a legacy that spans cultures and generations, just as Esther did. But we must first submit to the beautification and purification process of the Holy Spirit.
Allow the Holy Spirit to transform you from the inside out. His refining will purge out of us the things that will hinder us from being the women God has called us to be and infuse into us the fragrant character of God. As we begin to authentically display the attributes of a godly woman, we will find favor to fulfill our assignments. We will find the scepter being extended to us without limit to every place our feet should tread. {eoa}
Michelle McClain-Walters has traveled to more than 40 nations and has conducted schools of the prophetic that have activated thousands in the art of hearing the voice of God. She is the author of The Prophetic Advantage, and she currently serves as director of prayer ministry on the staff of Crusaders Church under the leadership of Apostle John Eckhardt. She is also one of the house prophets and apostolic team leaders at Crusaders Church. She resides in Chicago, Illinois, with her husband, Floyd Walters Jr.
This article is an excerpt from her book Prayers and Declarations for the Woman of God (Charisma House, 2018).
Janet Perez Eckles 
Shawn Akers 
Abby Trivett