A few months ago our pastor Steve Poe at Northview Church said something that has really impacted the way I think.
"Every season of your life is either going to be an opportunity [to serve God] or an excuse, depending on what you're looking for. So be honest with yourself, 'Am I looking for opportunities every day of my life, or am I just complaining, griping, and making excuses?' "
Too often I find myself thinking I am unable to serve God because of __________. Fill in the blank. Anything. For instance, in this season of my life I am a stay-at-home mom. I mean, how can I possibly go out and volunteer when I have two very small children at home who need constant attention? I don't have the time or the childcare or whatever. I have plenty of valid excuses. Or, I don't have enough money to really change anyone's situation. Or maybe, I can't serve God because I don't have the right skills to do the job. Whatever the excuse, I write myself off that I just can't do anything since I am in this circumstance.
But hearing this specific part of Steve's sermon really challenged me to change my thinking. While there may be some ways that I truly am unable to serve God in this moment, I need to instead focus on what I CAN do to serve God. Then I need to do it.
For me a huge part of serving God is serving my own family. While I am not the perfect little homemaker my primary role is a wife and mother, respecting my husband and raising my children for the glory of God. Opportunities exist moment-by-moment in my home to serve God by serving my family. I don't always get it right, but I am trying. And outside of my home, I can serve God in so many ways. Whether for me that means making a meal for a friend, watching someone's children, donating previously loved items to an organization, running to fundraise for a ministry, and on the list rolls.... the opportunities are there. I just have to look for them and choose to take them without all of the excuses.
"Every season of your life is either going to be an opportunity [to serve God] or an excuse, depending on what you're looking for. So be honest with yourself, 'Am I looking for opportunities every day of my life, or am I just complaining, griping, and making excuses?' "
Too often I find myself thinking I am unable to serve God because of __________. Fill in the blank. Anything. For instance, in this season of my life I am a stay-at-home mom. I mean, how can I possibly go out and volunteer when I have two very small children at home who need constant attention? I don't have the time or the childcare or whatever. I have plenty of valid excuses. Or, I don't have enough money to really change anyone's situation. Or maybe, I can't serve God because I don't have the right skills to do the job. Whatever the excuse, I write myself off that I just can't do anything since I am in this circumstance.
But hearing this specific part of Steve's sermon really challenged me to change my thinking. While there may be some ways that I truly am unable to serve God in this moment, I need to instead focus on what I CAN do to serve God. Then I need to do it.
For me a huge part of serving God is serving my own family. While I am not the perfect little homemaker my primary role is a wife and mother, respecting my husband and raising my children for the glory of God. Opportunities exist moment-by-moment in my home to serve God by serving my family. I don't always get it right, but I am trying. And outside of my home, I can serve God in so many ways. Whether for me that means making a meal for a friend, watching someone's children, donating previously loved items to an organization, running to fundraise for a ministry, and on the list rolls.... the opportunities are there. I just have to look for them and choose to take them without all of the excuses.
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