My Job is Not a Hindrance
One of the most recent posts at the Girl Talk blog was entitled Homemaking is Not a Hindrance. It was an encouragement to me because even though I am not a homemaker, I often feel as though what I do forty hours a week is hindering me from what I really should be doing. Although this does not mean that I’m going to stop looking for “real” jobs, nor does it mean that I shouldn’t pursue outside ministry, it does mean that each morning when I wake up, I am called to glorify God in my current job. I’ve paraphrased some of Carolyn’s entry:
It’s easy for us to look around and see “everyone else” playing a productive and meaningful part in the church’s mission and feel like we are the “only one” languishing on the sidelines.
Now, it is good and right for us to want to invest the gifts and talents God has bestowed on us for the good of the church; but when we view [our job] as a hindrance to using our gifts, I think we’re missing a vitally important truth…
Be like Susanna Wesley, “the incomparably brilliant and well-educated mother of sons who shook two continents for God” who wrote: “I am content to fill a little space if God be glorified” (Dorothy Patterson).
Filed under: Career/Education, Christianity, Personal Reflection on July 2nd, 2008
Thats encouraging. Sometimes it feels like just starting out in my adult life, that I’m little bit of a peon
I’m not a nurse, I’m a nurse aide. I’m not a medic, I’m “just a Basic”. I often ask myself what will satisfy in the end. I know God will bless as I seek fulfillment as in serving rather than recognition.
I too struggle with the same thing. My heart is so eager to do “great” things for the Lord, and I forget that God has blessed my life with the little, everyday ministries in my home and even outside the home. I love the quote by Susanna Wesley: “I am content to fill a little space if God be glorified.”
That is so good.
Anna- thanks so so so much for the prayer! It is really encouraging to know that there are people out there praying for you and that your not alone. It is a trial, but I know the Lord will see it through.
I like this post about homemaking because I did feel like the 40-hour work weeks I was doing was completely taking away from my family and my wife-hood. However now that the Lord is re-positioning my life, I am understanding that the paycheck and the 40-hour weeks He gave me was such a blessing. I was going through the story of Joseph being sold to the Egyptians, and it dawned on me that God sometimes puts us in places we dont think are right for us and there isnt much we can do about it, but like Joseph, we can glorify God in the tasks He has given us to do and still be happy.
I really appreciate your support! God Bless!
Great post. I was just thinking the other day that desiring to do big things for God is not wrong, but if we’re always looking forward and not around us, we miss out on so much.
I laughed when I pulled up your blog today and saw that you refered to this article. I actually bookmarked it so that I could refer to it on my blog in the future.
I found it to be very convicting and encouraging. It made me step back and rethink through my attitude towards all of my daily activities. Carolyn put it well!