6-13-2007
Katie says, “Fulfilling your roles today, although those roles may not be thrilling or sensational, is the safest, most predictable step you could possibly take toward tomorrow’s intriguing purpose.”
Industrial psychologist Piers Steel of the University of Calgary said, "We have a workplace that is motivationally toxic. Convenient access to inferior choices is decidedly inconvenient."
It is so easy to get caught up in daydreaming, shoulda-couldas and downright covetousness that we neglect the wealth of purpose God has us knee-deep in right now! I like what Katie calls our day to day assignments--our stealth missions. We're flying below the radar of the enemy. Does that give you a new spin on your chores today?
Have you seen the commercial that shows someone clicking on web videos? The ad asks if 15 min of your time could be better used by checking out their auto-insurance instead. How much time do we waste during the day? How are we spending those “24 coins”?
James 4:17 Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin.
Look at your list you made in our first lesson. What jobs or roles do you think are unimportant or monotonous? Someone once told us that being women, we needed to strive for equality. Being a mother and wife was not an important role. And yet, how did God decide to come to earth? Did he descend from the clouds? No. He came through the birth canal of a woman. What about wife? When Jesus comes back to earth, He is not coming for people. He is coming for His Church, which is described as “the bride of Christ”. Who says the Bible belittles women? Even demon-possessed Mary Magdelene was redeemed. We read that earlier.
So what are we waiting for? We are procrastinators; avoiding the responsibility that God has given us now. When we “wait on the Lord”…are we online, emailing or chatting about what we want to do, or on the phone talking about our dreams and putting off that humdrum task? Do we have our affairs in order? What about a will—if you want to go overseas, did you start the process for your passport? Do you have a will updated? How ready are you, really?
Proverbs 27:1 Do not boast about tomorrow, For you do not know what a day may bring forth.
Matthew 6:34 "So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
James 4:14 Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are {just} a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.
What is the product of procrastinating?
- Stress
- Guilt
- Loss of productivity
- Crisis builds
- Bad rep with friends/family
Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
Patience, not procrastination, is what we need to cultivate. We’re so anxious to be given our life-changing purpose…when all the while we should be blooming where we are planted! This is our boot camp.
Patience is the ability to endure waiting, delay, or provocation without becoming annoyed or upset, or to persevere calmly when faced with difficulties. Increasing patience is viewed as the work of the Holy Spirit in the Christian who has accepted the gift of salvation.
Galatians 4:4-5 But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.
God is patient with us. Not wanting anyone to miss the boat. Why do we have a problem with being patient?
By doing what we are given every day, we are being prepared to handle the mission or ministry that God has in mind for us. How would someone enduring a family illness handle a full-time ministry or mission? Think about it…when you were changing diapers, would you have been able to jet to Africa to feed the hungry, or help out during a hurricane like Katrina? God is cultivating desires and empathy in your heart. Every woman has seasons in her life...what season are you in?
Matthew 25:21 "His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.'
1 Timothy 3:11 Women {must} likewise {be} dignified, not malicious gossips, but temperate, faithful in all things.
Did you know you are a missionary? A missionary is “a person sent to do religious or charitable work in some territory.” Think of the different locations you go…home, office, school, neighborhood, state or nation. Our today duties are like mini-stealth missions into enemy territory. Does that encourage you? God counts the hairs on your head, don't you think He's concerned with the daily tasks of life?
If we stepped out to do some amazing missionary or ministry work, would we be ready for the enemy’s attacks? How do you handle panic and crisis now? We have some steps to take. Let’s take them one at a time. Do what matters today.
“I had value because He created me, not because of what I could do.”
Ephesians 6:10-18
Are you standing ready, or do you still need to get on that armor and pick up your weapons?
Homework
- Prioritize your roles
- Re-read the Purpose-filled women of the Bible P56
- Take care of yourself this week
- Read Chapter 4
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