I want to do what God has called me to do.
I want to do all God has called me to do.
Does anyone else feel the difference in these two statements? For me recently there’s been almost a conflict between them.
I want to do what God has called me to do. I want to be faithful in growing in my relationship with Him. To be a good wife, mom, homemaker, Sunday School teacher, friend, pastor’s wife…. all of these are enough. These roles allow me to use my talents and gifts. They keep me on my knees praying for guidance, strength, and grace. They keep me in the Word, dependent on Him for instruction on how to do better in each area He has placed me.
But I think about doing more. And that is my struggle. By wanting more, am I implying that to do what I do is “less?”
But without the desire for “more,” books wouldn’t be written. I really appreciate all of you who read this blog, but unless you’re here specifically to offer me a book deal, I’m going to have to “do more” than “just” write for my blog if someday I want to write a book. And therein lies my struggle. Because what if, like James and John, I’m arrogantly asking for more than what God has planned for me? (Matthew 20:20-28)
In his book, Forgotten God, Francis Chan writes,
“I think a lot of us need to forget about God’s will for my life. God cares more about our response to His Spirit’s leading today, in this moment, than about what we intend to do next year. In fact, the decisions we make next year will be profoundly affected by the degree to which we submit to the Spirit right now, in today’s decision.”
“It is easy to use the phrase, ‘God’s will for my life’ as an excuse for inaction or even disobedience. It’s much less demanding to think about God’s will for your future than it is to ask Him what He wants you to do in the next ten minutes. It’s safer to commit to following Him someday instead of this day” (author’s emphasis, 120).
I will continue to be faithful in all He calls me to do. And I will take steps to do what He may be calling me to do. Today that will include doing laundry, laughing with my children, praying for my husband, soaking up God’s Word and working on a chapter in my book.
Instead of seeing, “Two roads diverged in a yellow wood…” I will see one long road, full of opportunities for today and possibilities for someday. And that will make all the difference.
