How do you know (or would you know) if you’re doing a great thing for God?
Are you like me and secretly think that unless you’ve written a bestseller, sold everything and moved to the most remote village on earth to evangelize, have a fully-booked speaking schedule, administer health care to refugees on a voluntary basis when you could be making 6 figures in America or spend your life doing something equally noble (usually involving little to no monetary compensation, facing life-threatening dangers on a daily basis and/or enjoying the admiration of hordes of people for your insight, inspiration and unmatched wisdom) — if you’re not doing any of that, do you feel like you’re not doing anything great for God?
I do.
I know it’s not true, but I still do.
Why does it seem so…unimportant…to be “just” living? I’m not sure where that idea came from, but I certainly feel that way. However inaccurate I know it is.
I really appreciated the comments on my last post like this. It’s nice to know there are others who can relate. I get the feeling there are lots of people (especially women??) who know just how it is. Somewhere along the line we’ve gotten the idea that unless our accomplishments are worthy of the 6 o’clock news, they’re not very worthy at all. How sad. Sad not so much because we deem some accomplishments unworthy, but because we deem someone unworthy according to their accomplishments. Sadder still is our (OK, my) slavery to this whole line of thinking.
I’m so often blown away by the cleverness of God – by the way He communicates with me (even if it’s not via email). One way He gets my attention is by sending me the same message through several, unrelated messengers within a short span of time. In this case, several things have happened the last few days to make me think He’s wanting me to know that even though I see my life as mundane and ineffective (I admit, it’s hard to find the “doing something great for God” in all the unending repetitiveness of dishes, diapers and dinner prep), He doesn’t.
First, there’s the ongoing, circular conversation with my husband attempting to determine the great thing God wants us to do next (I’m wondering if maybe our life as we know it today is our “next” and I’m beginning to think we’re losing precious time contemplating it). Then there’s the story of Natasha Richardson (I had never heard of her before last week) and the three families who died in a plane crash this weekend that remind me how quickly life on earth can be over. Then there’s the post I came across this morning (via Conversion Diary) that puts into words just what I’m sensing in my soul.
OK God, roger that. I’m getting that I’m probably swimming in purpose and am failing to recognize it. I’m getting that there’s no need to keep looking to the future because it makes me miss a lot of the present.
I get it. So now could you please help me get it?
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Hi there. I'm Amy. I write here about my life and my issues. I also design blogs and websites at 
Wow, great post! I’m glad to have discovered your blog. I love what you said about, “I get it. Now how do I *get* it?” That’s exactly where I am right now.
Thanks for a great post!
Jennifer (Conversion Diary)’s last blog post..Could I have stopped the war?
I know exactly how you feel… I struggle to see the ‘purpose’ in daily life when there are people out there doing “big” things (in my eyes) for God! It is so comforting to know other people struggle with this as well – I found your post to be very encouraging! Thank you so much!!
I, like so many others, completely know how you are feeling, Amy. But, I want you to know, that I have found GREAT purpose with what you are doing on this blog. There really are other ministry women with issues JUST like mine?? Moms trying type (insert any activity here) with children crawling all over them?? God has used you quite a bit in the last two months (that’s when I found this)to bring me peace and comfort and even a “refocusing”. Don’t doubt that GOD is using you right now! OH, and I can’t wait to hear about Uganda!
I watched my family go through a terrible ordeal this week. In it, though, I saw my Mother observe her son grieve, praise God, and show unbelievable love and tenderness toward his wife when they lost their baby. It drove deep inside of me the greatness of my purpose regarding these “mundane” days with my kids. Every person who came across the situation at the hospital was amazed. My Mom, in her pain, was so blessed by the man her son had become. Not only that, but the three children they already have (ages 11,10,7)exhibited such maturity in their faith it was astounding. It was a picture of purpose and greatness. Perhaps on small scale on earth, but on grand scale in heaven. It was more than purpose, it was a legacy in the making right before my eyes. It was authentic, just like you.
I guess I’m weird… I usually don’t think about what I’m doing for God and if it’s good enough. There’s nothing I can do for God, actually, except be obedient, trust and love Him. (In acceptance, there is peace.) He made me the way He wanted. He placed me where He wanted me to be in time. He gave me my husband, my job, my children. They are all precious gifts to me. I guess I think more about all the great things He’s done and continues to do for me and through me. I read yesterday in Deut 4:9, “be very careful never to forget what you have seen the Lord do for you. Do not let these things escape from your mind as long as you live! Pass them on to your children and grandchildren. and then a few verses later he asks, “so, why do you call me Lord when you won’t obey Me?’ Just some food for thought… Think of the love of writing and sharing from your heart that He’s given you and how you have then blessed so many in this forum?
[...] Continuing from my last post… [...]
Amy,
First, I want to thank you for stopping by my place and giving me excellent advice re. my daughter who has trouble focusing … it’s good to know others have “been there”. I like your idea of breaking things into small pieces, using the timer, etc. – I think I need to just be more intentional about the whole thing. I’ve just been kind of hoping things would improve on their own, but – I need to do more.
Second, I love your writing here and it’s funny you would write about feeling like you lack purpose at times, because you seem so “together”! I have written on the same thing – I know that as moms and as followers of Christ, we do have ultimate purpose. But living in the world, it seems we (I at least) need to remind ourselves of this over and over.
Blessings to you -
Susan
Susan’s last blog post..Music, Music Everywhere …
I just came across this blog and need to tell you what a blessing it has been to me!
I am a missionary and mom-of-five, living in a remote village in Eastern Europe, and I still struggle with my purpose. I struggle with depression as well.
Thanks again for this post. It resonated with me.
xlotz had this to say…
This is crucial in rearing children…we must not forget this EVER!!…