Sometimes we moms and grand-moms have the sense that our life is full of empty endeavors and the monotony of it all seems meaningless…we are tired…we are just missing the point of it all. Endurance is the inward strength to withstand stress to accomplish God’s best. (Gothard) With all our demanding enterprises, we neglect the time it takes to get in the Word to nourish and energize ourselves and then, to open the Bible with our little prince and princesses. We find time for activities of every kind imaginable…many of them worthy efforts, yet missing the point of building eternal purpose and destiny into our little ones.
If this speaks to you, this morning let me encourage you with these biblical facts!
“God does amazing things through people who are yielded to Him. Throughout the Word, we see portrayals of God doing mighty works through ordinary individuals, imperfect people like you and me. Consider this list from an e-mail message that came to one of our missionaries:
Moses stuttered.
Paul rejected John Mark.
Jacob was a liar.
David had an affair.
Solomon was too rich.
Abraham was too old.
David was too young.
Peter was afraid of death.
Lazarus was dead.
Naomi was a widow.
Jonah ran from God.
Gideon and Thomas doubted.
Elijah was burned out.
Samson had long hair.
Noah got drunk.
Did I mention that Moses had a short fuse? So did Peter, Paul…well lots of folks did”.
This is no excuse for us, but a challenge to be the example His provision has called us to be! Let’s think this through for a moment. Being God, He does not have to rely on people (He could use a stick!). If God does not need you or me, why then does He give us opportunities to serve Him? It is certainly not because we are such model servants. Nor were any of those heroes of the Bible. No, He puts ministries before us because He loves us. These opportunities offer rewards from our Heavenly Father, and challenges to help us grow to be more like Christ. That is the promise of Romans 8: 28-29. (Note the two qualifiers: those who love Him and walk in His will...requires obedience)
God continues to encourage us to be a part of the great works He is doing. He takes ordinary people serving in extraordinary circumstances to demonstrate His Almightiness!
Take heart
We can’t; but God can!
“Let us not become weary in doing good,
for at a proper time we will reap a harvest
if we do not give up.” Galatians 6: 9
~Jackie Johnson - I am a former tribal missionary to the Kuna Indians on the Colombian border in Central America. Fluent in several languages, my husband and I currently pastor a Spanish-speaking church in Southern California. My passion is discipling and equipping dedicated young women for life, marriage, motherhood, and beyond. I am the mother of two daughters and the grandmother of three Princesses and four young Knights.
