I’m back. How I’ve missed this space! I’m sitting at my desk, the kids are in bed and I’m grabbing a few moments of quiet. What a wild ride it’s been the past two months. Here’s a little glimpse of the reason for my absence. We’ve lived out of suitcases, we’ve moved and I survived the first trimester of my fifth pregnancy (pregnancy is not nice to me) all while managing life, ministry and three kids six years old and younger.
I love that God is in the sweet chaos and He speaks when we listen. I want to share with you one theme that He has been reiterating to me in these months of transition in hopes that it will encourage you as it has me.
“Just show up. Speak about My goodness and I’ll do the work.”
The task oriented side of me wants to go hard and get everything done at once, but lately I’ve been reminded of my limitations. In these moments of inadequacies, Jesus’ voice of encouragement has brought a deep joy and expectancy in the midst of the exhaustion. God has reminded me over and over of His greatness. When we are weak, He is strong. When we exalt Him, He will draw others to Himself.
Limitations are not an excuse for passivity but rather an opportunity to depend on Him and a reminder that anything good we do comes from Him in the first place. God gives us daily opportunities not only to recognize His goodness but also to share it with others. And what a privilege it is to do just that! We can trust Him to open doors for us if we are willing to show up and speak.
The last chapter of the book of Romans has intrigued me for years and this morning I went back to it. On the surface, it doesn’t seem too interesting as Paul is simply sending greetings and closing out his letter. However, when I stop to imagine the daily lives of the people he is addressing, I’m challenged and inspired. Each person is living out their God-given opportunities and they don’t all look the same. Check it out…
- Priscilla and Aquila – they risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them.
- Mary – worked very hard for you.
- Andronicus and Junias – my relatives who have been in prison with me; they are outstanding among the apostles.
- Apelles – tested and approved.
- Tryphena and Tryphosa – women who work hard in the Lord.
- Persis – another woman who has worked very hard in the Lord.
- Rufus – chosen in the Lord.
- Rufus’ mother – who has been a mother to me, too.
- Timothy – my fellow worker.
- Gaius – whose hospitality I and the whole church here enjoy.
- Erastus – who is the city’s director of public works.
As I have been reflecting on this theme the past few weeks, I pass on the challenge to you. Examine your season. What opportunities has God placed in front of you? What are you doing with them? I go back to my original thought from God, “Just show up. Speak about His goodness and let Him do the work.”
We may not know the outcome of showing up but we can be certain of the outcome for not showing up.
everyday adventure 