Circled around close, we clutched our coffee mugs. With the backdrop set for conversation between myself and these precious stay at home moms, the sound of toddlers alternated between giggling, screaming, and squealing.
I listened. We were interrupted. I heard. We were interrupted.
I felt their longing to be more and do more. They wondered about their gifting and how they could use them more fully. Weren’t they missing out on more that God might have for them?
During our final interruption, I hugged them tight and shared a few thoughts.
Days passed, again I clutched my coffee mug, but this time I listened to a successful career woman. While her circumstances were polar opposite than my other young friends, she pondered a similar angst. She felt a restlessness in her spirit and discontent; a “day in and day out” ordinariness and wondered if there was more.
“What was God’s real purpose for her?” she pondered.
If you expect dialogue about finding God’s will for your life, you are mistaken. There are hundreds of books on the topic, but often, we make it something much more mysterious than it ought to be.
Sometimes we confuse “finding God’s perfect will for our lives” with just being available right where we are.
Our vocation, our spiritual gifts, our creative outlets, our day to day choices are all ultimately acts of worship. I pen those words, but I need to re-read them to myself.
My day to day monotony equals worship? I want those words to soak deep into my soul and breathe life into this very moment.
I’ve had to block out a lot of excess noise coming my way lately and my own internal conversations weigh heavily. I’ve been pulled by the very voices that whisper, “You could have done so much more with what I gave you. Wasted potential.”
I know my calling and worth aren’t defined by salary or positions or popularity, yet at varying times in my life, in my mundane moments of sameness, it’s hard not to wonder what I’ve missed.
And then I hear Mordecai reminding Esther,”For such a time as this,” and it fires me up.
The Lord has called, equipped, and appointed us to do amazing things right where we are, in whatever role we work or serve.
Can I get a drum roll? It’s nothing earth shattering, but it sure stirs my passion and purpose of making the ordinary, extraordinary.
I’ve been convicted over and over that I need to stop guessing and waiting and wondering what the next big thing is because often the elusive “thing” that matters most is for us to dive in right where we are planted. God shows up repeatedly when I decide to “be all in” regardless of how I feel about my circumstances at the moment.
If you were called to create, then do so right now because the Master Artist breathed beauty and life into this world canvas Himself and it’s a reflection of his glory.
If you were called to make oatmeal for toddlers, it’s not just another meal; you are nourishing the next generation of world changers.
If you are called to keep books and file papers, know that God is the master organizer. He created order and you are fulfilling a sacred calling which helps elevate those around you.
We are in God’s will when we are doing what He called us to do at this very moment.
It looks different for all of us; it may be in the classroom, at home, in the workplace, or in full time ministry. No job or gifting or calling is greater than another when you are in His will.
The nameless Samaritan woman who repented at the well was just as much in God’s will as Queen Esther when she saved the Jewish people and ultimately an entire nation.
The young boy who shared his five loaves and two fish was just as much in God’s will as a rich man who would give everything he had to the Lord.
Jesus was just as much in God’s will when He was a carpenter as He was hanging on the cross!
Never doubt your incredible value.
You are worthy! You are needed! You are already amazing!
Stop waiting, stop wondering and be all in right where you are.
Martin Luther King Jr. said it best: “If it falls to your lot to be a street sweeper, sweep streets like Michelangelo painted pictures, sweep streets like Beethoven composed music . . . Sweep streets like Shakespeare wrote poetry. Sweep streets so well that all the host of heaven and earth will have to pause and say: Here lived a great street sweeper who swept his job well.”
Where can you sweep today? Just do the Next Thing.
Shared by the girl who loves making ordinary moments extraordinary: Jen of Balancing Beauty and Bedlam.
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Bev @ Walking Well With God says
Jen,
For so many women (people), we need to hear this message. God doesn’t call all of us to monumental, world changing, leadership roles, but He does call us to be the voice for change and for Truth right in our little corner of the world. A word well spoken to someone who needs encouragement makes the heavens rejoice just as much as a sinner saved. I believe God celebrates all acts of worship and obedience no matter how grand or how small. After having two knee surgeries…my act of worship is simply praising God when I am able to go for a walk with my husband and our dogs. Not earth shattering…but I still believe it’s music to His ears.
Wonderful post Jen!!
Blessings,
Bev xx
Jen @ beautyandbedlam.com says
And you do it amazingly well. If there’s one incourage friend that I think of as the Master encourager, it’s you. 🙂
Devi Duerrmeier says
Thank you for this post, Jen. I’m always amazed at how all women I know, whatever stage of life they may be in, have a deep sense that they (we) are not doing enough. There always seems to be the next thing to which we need to aim. The greatest peace I’ve found in my life has been in doing the next thing, NOW. It’s really the one thing I can do… even when I dream for the things to come.
Jen @ beautyandbedlam.com@ says
Yes, yes, exactly this, Devi.
It grieves my heart when there’s the constant feeling, and while I understand that pull because I’ve surely been there at different times, we believe that lie. We KNOW the truth and you’ve hit it right on the head.
Sarah Travis says
Love this! I used to really battle over my “calling” and it having to be some huge dramatic shift in my life but our calling is to use the gifts God has given us right where He has us! 🙂
Jen @ beautyandbedlam.com@ says
Yes, I think at sometime, we all struggle with that because we listen to everyone else making it out to be some BIG HUGE platform type thing, but it’s not. We are right where we are together, my friend. 🙂
Carol says
Thank you for this timely post. I’ve been struggling to find contentment in my two part-time jobs and find myself longing for a full-time job closer to home. I love what I do, but feel there’s so much untapped potential and get depressed thinking about what I’m missing.
Please pray that Paul’s “secret of contentment”, which you so delicately eluded to, truly sinks in because I’ve been sounding like the father who doubted Jesus saying, ” if you can ” help us.
Blessings.
Beth Williams says
Carol,
Father,
Help Carol find that secret contentment! Lead her to a full-time job, if it’s your will! Help her to realize she is doing acts of worship in her two part-time jobs! Bless her financially! Shower her with grace, mercy and love!!
Jen @ beautyandbedlam.com says
Yes, thank you, Carol, for going right to the source of our true contentment. xoxo
LaToya Brown says
Thank you Jen for your words of encouragement! I’ve began considering homeschooling my children next year, but the voice in my head says, “now you’ll never get to work outside of your home…no one will know you, at least not for another 14 years! Bwaaahaaa!” I know it’s all nonsense, but those thoughts come and go making it a little more difficult in seeking what I should do. But as you’ve said, “No gifting or calling is greater than another when I am in His will.”
Beth Williams says
LaToya,
Teaching your children is one of the most sacred of all jobs. You are educating the next generation of “God workers”. It is important and God will be proud of you for doing that monumental task! Your children will be the better for it and that is what’s important!
Father,
Help LaToya see that homeschooling her children is a calling you want for her. Shower her with the knowledge to do the job well and raise and educate smart young people! Take away any notions it not being enough, never be known, thoughts of the evil one! Encourage her on this journey!
AMEN!
LaToya Brown says
Thank you, thank you…thank you.
Beth Williams says
Jennifer,
Thank you for a most timely post! The world tells us we must dream big, reach for the sky, and be super rich and famous to “make it” and be successful! We hear of missionaries who go abroad and do great things for God and wonder why not me? Shouldn’t I be doing that?
This statement sums it all up: We are in God’s will when we are doing what He called us to do at this very moment. Now my calling is to care for my aging dad. I go see him 3X week and make sure he is ok and comfortable. May not seem like much, but to dad it means the world!
Blessings 🙂
jen @ beautyandbedlam.com@ says
I can think of no higher calling. Wow, when scripture says to honor your father and mother, so many assume it’s something for only young kids to follow. You are truly showing the REAL meaning of doing the holy work He’s called. Later, You will never regret that time.
Kristin S says
Oh, Jen, I want to get in my car and drive the hour and a half to your house right now. I need some porch time with you.
jen @ beautyandbedlam.com@ says
You know it’s open and waiting any time you want. 🙂 xoxox
Brenda Meyer says
Such a lovely post and always needed for all of us, at all times of our life. I struggle with feeling like I’ve “done enough” and your words of encouragement were so right on for my day today…. I love the quote by Martin Luther King, Jr…. Thank you!