Another thought about not letting the worries and cares of the world (day to day life) choke you…Have you ever started a new job with gusto and excitement and then looked around a year down the road and found yourself bored, stressed, and complaining? Or perhaps you got so draw to a missions outreach and knew with no doubt that God had put this call on your heart, only to find yourself begrudging the meetings, planning, and time it takes. I’ve been there, and I’m sure most of us have.
I know that I know that the Lord has placed a call on my life for ministry. But with any call there is some work to be done, and I know that I will never be completely ready to step into the fullness of that call without the preparation the Lord has in mind. This includes studying, practicing, learning, and much more. One day, again in the kitchen, I was feeling extremely overwhelmed and doing a mental check list of all that I should be doing when the Lord spoke this to me, “Don’t let Satan turn your calling into a burden.”
That is exactly what I had been doing! God had placed a call on my life, but I had become so weighed down by the process that I lost my focus and drive. Soon my “powerful calling” became more like a chore and was just one more thing I was behind on and condemned by. You know Satan loves this! In this state I am no longer a powerful force for the kingdom, but rather a stagnant soul burying myself in a grave of self pity, in too deep to see or reach out to any other needs or opportunities around me. (I am still working on this, but I am much quicker now to stop myself and remember the Lord’s words when I begin to count the burdens instead of the promises.)
You see, every day won’t be a mountain top. Every day won’t be a day of a huge promotion or an exciting opportunity. But if we are truly committed, every day is a day to grow, learn and develop. Every day is a chance to improve and become more prepared for the next great thing the Lord has for us. And because He loves us, the Lord won’t give us the next big thing until we are prepared.
So determine today to refocus. Jump back into your life with gusto! Make each day count and start living each day on purpose! Give it your best and God will do the rest.
“being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6
“And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” Galatians 6:9
