How many of us as women have at one time or another found ourselves reflecting on stories of wondrous and powerful kings? Literature and legend are filled with these stories. So is history—our history. Let us focus on one such story.
Once upon a time there lived—and still lives—a great and powerful King. This King is supremely magnificent and dwells in beauty and unapproachable light (1 Timothy 6:16). He is omniscient, omnipotent and vastly wealthy, owning all things (Psalm 24:1). He even has an excellent Son, His Spokesman. On top of having everything and owning everything, He has a great army of servants who do His will, constantly running to and fro (2 Chronicles 16:9).
And yet, despite all this, He still lacks and longs for something else. That “something else” is a large, loving, character-filled family of sons and daughters created in His own likeness and image and who will call Him “Father” (Jeremiah 3:19).
We who have been privileged to be called into God’s Church in this day and age of course understand that the One described here is our King and our God!
We well know that our God is no egocentric King who only wants to keep all His power and possessions for Himself. No, rather He is a loving, forgiving and giving God whose purpose is to strengthen and support His potential daughters and sons so that they can achieve the inspiring reason for their existence, which is to become part of His family and to “inherit all things” (Revelation 21:7).
But how is this possible? How can we frail, flawed women and men, full of human nature and with Satan the Devil trying to influence us, possibly inherit so great a prize or gift? Is there a catch in it? Is it just like the deceiving phone calls that some people receive telling them that they have won lots of money or a cruise on the Mediterranean, only to find out that it is all a cheating lie or scam?
No! Our God is not like that. He cannot lie (Titus 1:2) and His word is truth (John 17:17). However, although His promises are absolutely valid, there is something that He expects of us. As women aspiring to enter this King’s Kingdom, we must focus on what He expects.
When Jesus Christ walked the earth at His first coming, He admonished us to “seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness” (Matthew 6:33). And in regard to that great and final prize of entering into the Kingdom of Heaven, He said: “And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force” (Matthew 11:12). In other words, eager and forceful women (and men) keep a single-minded focus on that Kingdom (Matthew 6:22–24). They never become diverted from their purpose, despite obstacles along the way. They never take their eyes off the goal and never lose their grip on it, just as Jacob did not give up when struggling with God (Genesis 32:26).
One way we can maintain our inspiration to achieve this wonderful goal is to reflect on the examples of those who have epitomized those traits, keeping their focus to achieve a wonderful goal. One such example can be found in the life of a woman named Elizabeth (Gurney) Fry.
Elizabeth (Betsy) Gurney was born on May 21, 1780 in Norwich, England. She was born into a wealthy banking family, her father being a partner in Gurney’s Bank. Her mother also was part of the Barclay family that founded Barclay’s Bank, which is still operational today. They lived in a beautiful and spacious country house called Earlham Hall, which is now part of the University of East Anglia.
The Gurneys were a Quaker family with strong Christian values and at the age of 18 the young Elizabeth was deeply moved by the preaching of William Savery, an American Quaker. Motivated by his words, she became convicted of the need to help the poor, the sick and those in prison, with special emphasis on women.
She began in a simple way at first by collecting old clothes for the poor. She visited the sick in her neighbourhood and then started a school in their summerhouse on Sundays to teach children to read.
Two years later, Elizabeth married Joseph Fry, also a banker and Quaker. But although Elizabeth lived in somewhat affluent circumstances (except for the four years when her husband’s bank ran into financial difficulties) she never lost sight of her goal to serve and help the disadvantaged.
Mrs. Fry gave birth to eleven children and sometimes was not at all well after the births, but she nevertheless soldiered on with unfailing determination to perform her cherished tasks.
Due to the influence of a visiting fellow Quaker, Elizabeth began visiting prisons and was shocked to find them dark, dirty and dangerous places. In Newgate Prison she was especially horrified to find women and children living and dying in the most appalling conditions. This affected her so much that she firmly resolved to do something about it.
Sometimes she actually stayed the night in Newgate where her kindness and warmth of personality drew people to her to such an extent that she gained the confidence and friendship of the women. They then began to work and try to improve conditions for themselves. She also made strong recommendations to the authorities that women only should guard women prisoners and not men.
When touring a number of prisons, Mrs. Fry always went armed with food and clothing for the inmates. She followed this up by establishing schools for the children who were shut in with their mothers and insisted upon some education for the women, having them taught sewing and reading, with especial emphasis on the Bible.
In an age when it was unusual and even frowned upon for a woman to take the lead in such a zealous manner she was greatly criticized. People muttered against her but she nevertheless persevered against all opposition, campaigning tirelessly. In 1835 she actually became the first woman to testify before a House of Commons Parliamentary Committee established to investigate the state of prisons in England and Wales. She was the first penal reformer to devote her attention solely to the plight and improvement of women. Faith and prayer were her constant sources of strength, earning her the name “angel of prisons.”
Due to her position in society, she entertained frequently and encouraged other wealthy middle class women to take an interest and serve alongside her. In other humanitarian work she set up night shelters for the homeless, and began the Brighton District Visiting Society which arranged for volunteers to visit the poor and provide them with any help and support needed.
Mrs. Fry also undertook rigorous tours of the European continent, endlessly promoting welfare change and humanitarianism and was so effective that she even impressed Frederick William IV of Prussia, who actually came to visit her while on an official state visit to Great Britain. The young Queen Victoria, too, so greatly admired Mrs. Fry that she granted her several audiences, donating generously to her charities. Victoria later wrote that she considered Mrs. Fry “a very superior person.”
It is not clear how much Mrs. Fry understood of the Scriptures, but knowingly or unknowingly she adequately fulfilled the words of Jesus Christ:
“…for I was hungry and you gave Me food, I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me” (Matthew 25:35–36).
From the age of 18 until her death at 65, Mrs. Fry relentlessly pursued these ideals without faltering. She was indeed a woman of focus.
Today, in her honour, a prominent statue of her stands nobly in the Grand Hall of the Old Bailey in London (The Central Criminal Court for England and Wales). And, since 2001, her picture has been depicted on the back of Bank of England £5 notes. There, she is shown reading to women in prison.
Many other women down through the ages have worked hard to achieve their ends and goals and have never given up. Some have perhaps done so for personal political ambition, while others have striven for nobler causes. Yet all are examples demonstrating that one particular trait of determined, single-minded focus.
Of course, we in no way wish to diminish the contributions that these dedicated ladies have made to society. However, as Christian women, our goal and destiny so far outstrips and eclipses anything that has been available to these dedicated women of the world. We have been offered the destiny to be born again in the first resurrection and to become part of the Bride of Christ. So, how much more, of all people, should we have that same unswerving determination to achieve our God-given purpose. As we do so, we too will be known as women of focus.
Then shall the King say: “Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world” (Matthew 25:34).