It's all I would need, really, to get on top of the mound of "to-do" stuff before me...just one extra hand. Well.....maybe two....and one extra day in the week.
My husband said the other day that if I need an extra day in the week to get everything accomplished that I'm commited to each week, then I most likely doing things that the Lord hasn't exactly called me to be doing. Hmmmmm......
So what is "called"? Is it the thing that, if I could afford not to work at all, I would dive passionately into full-time? (Namely songwriting, arranging, singing, leading teen Ministry Teams).
Or is it the thing that I do that I am paid to do, for which I am gifted, and for which I am also needed in this community? (Namely teaching music).
My heart says one thing and my head says another. Is my "call" described by the passionate burn of my heart? Or is it described by the way the Lord puts me into the lives of others to mentor them in their gifts?
I don't know. One thing I know for sure...I can not, and will not ever settle for a job that's just a job. I will only and always find ways to work which line up with the gifts and passions that the Lord has given me. I do not know how people can go to work each day doing something they don't enjoy, or for which their heart is not wrecked. I thank the Lord that He is big enough to provide opportunities for His children to find satisfaction and meaning in their everyday activities. ( After all, His promise for abundant life in Him means even abundant life on this earth!) I just pray I will always recognize those opportunities he gives.
So...I have lots to do if I want to get the Creative Arts Mentoring Program up and running, speak into the lives of the teens, get my lesson plans done, write some songs and get some more recording done...(oh, and love my husband and play with my kids and get their school supplies!)
Have you seen my extra hand?
7 comments:
If you figure out how to get an extra hand let me know!
I feel very lucky to be able to have a job that I like, and uses my gifts to such an extent. Sometimes I feel a bit guilty that I don't have time to do more stuff at the Church though.
I've always felt a "calling" to ministry- which I'm not doing right now- I'm at the store 6 days a week. At the same time I can't complain- I certinly am able to impact the lives of people who would never ever enter a church, shouldn't that be ministry enough?
I don't know- I wish I had an extra day in the week more than a hand now that I think about it. I would give me time to do everything I've been putting off (like cooking, scrapbooking, cleaning the house well, painting a visial arts display for the church, working out, going on a date, sleep.....). Come to think about it- can I have two extra days a week?
i like your new background..how did you do that?
I find it very difficult to work full time and keep a house amongst everything else. It is crazy to do and sometimes I say to Adam "eat whatever" and I don't cook. An extra hand, maid cook would be great.
For myself, I really don't like my job, I have no experience in it and can't see myself doing it for the rest of my life. However, I am not going to stress over this season of my life that I don't use my main giftings. I learned to be content in the now instead of trying to make what I wanted in my life to happen. I think that doing something is better than sulking over what could be. Reality states that if I want a more secure life, I must work. Even if I work in the medical field and have a degree in the complete opposite. I have settled for a job now. I am not going to let it be that way forever. However, I can have an influence on the people I can come in contact with everyday. My integrity speaks louder than my singing voice does. I guess my parents told me to do whatever it takes in life. Even if that means to flip burgers or be a garbage collector. I think their work ethic has spoken to me in my life.
I will keep abiding in Him and he will make that known to me. I find that for each season as well, he gives you strength, preparation and endurance for the days ahead. God also is a wisdom giver and I trust I will be useful to Him in the ways He directs me.
I hate the Christian term being "called" to do something. I think that people worry too much about what they are "called" to do. I think that people should just do what they love doing and are good at, and God will use you in that and that is where He wants you.
As for not understanding how people can go to work and not enjoy what they do, I kind of feel the same way as you Elizabeth, but we also have to remember there are so many people who HAVE to do the job they do in order to survive. Lots of people don't have it as good as we do. I am very blessed to be able to stay home with Ty and to do schooling so I can work the job I want. Lots and lots of people don't have that choice.
I think that doing the job you love and want is what God has for us, or "calls" us to. Just because you have a job doesn't mean you are not "called" to do that, for at least a season.
I don't know about an extra hand, but I reckon that if you just stop sleeping you can get heaps more accomplished in both the day AND night than you do during just the day!
I wonder about the calling...I think there is truth to both the options you presented, that it has to do with areas where God is giving you influence for His Kingdom (CAMP, lessons) AND it has to do with your passion for music. The difficult thing is to figure out how to allot proper time to each of your callings.
I guess in that sense we need to pray without ceasing and ask the Lord, even in the midst of a busy day, if or how He wants us to pull aside to be with Him and create out of those callings. I think that in letting God order the steps of our DAYS that He kinda by default guides the path of our grand callings in life.
so.....maybe instead of acquiring extra hands we instead see His hand in the day and His will being done in even the most inconsequential of moments. then if you know you're living in hourly obedience to the will of God, His purpose or calling over you will certainly be being achieved. It always helps me to break things down into smaller increments of time like that. hope it sheds some new light for you too.
I think mine ran off with yours.
I haven't seen your extra hand, but I did recently get a 3rd arm - compliments of my friend Kristen Zwicker. She may be able to hook you up.
You are one busy lady, running one busy household,and loving on one busy husband!! Phew!
P.S. I'm having a hard time reading your new page design....
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