"People must not only hear about the kingdom of God, but must see it in actual operation, on a small scale perhaps and in imperfect form, but a real demonstration nevertheless."
A tireless champion of the rights of women in India, Pandita Ramabai has been called the "mother of modern India." Orphaned at the age of 16 and widowed at 23 after only 16 months of marriage, Ramabai was keenly aware of the plight of widows and orphans in the Indian social structure. They were left without status or protection, often with young children. For the rest of her life Ramabai fought for the social welfare of these less fortunate women.
In her 20s, she converted to Christianity, drawing heavy criticism from her Hindu countrymen, who associated Christianity with the imperialistic Christian missionaries in their country. She too struggled with this, but identified so much with the gospel's message that serving women and the poor was a religious undertaking, not merely a social one.
She continued her charitable work and founded a center for unwed mothers, schools for poor girls and a famine center. However, she began to draw criticism from Christian leaders because she did not attempt to convert the women she was trying to help. Ramabai refused to be drawn into the fight. She said "I am, it is true, a member of the Church of Christ, but I am not bound to accept every word that falls down from the lips of priests or bishops."
I think what I admire most about Ramabai is her steadfast belief that the work of God and the church should be above denomination or doctrine. Her work with the poor didn't have strings attached. She clearly believed that it was most important that people experience the love of God through her actions.
What an excellent example. Perhaps the best method of evangelism isn't preaching or converting. Perhaps it's just loving and living out the gospel in our lives. I pray that I can be so brave.
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