Working for the Lord

I've spent weeks, well maybe more like months, stressing over WHAT God wants me to do for Him.  Waiting for answers that seem like they never come. Sitting in a waiting room with so many doors available, surrounded by people --some waiting too and some acting on what God has directed them to do-- listening to conversations, reading articles for answers, and praying for revelation.

I admit that I'm horribly impatient. I also admit a need to control all aspects of my life. Relinquishing control and waiting on anyone is soooo incredibly hard. I'm a jump all in kind of girl. I give 110% to everything I do (most of the time).  I say yes to everyone and then often think that I should say no more often.  It's a good thing that God gave me a patient patient man as I my husband. God often works through him to remind me to be still and listen. 

When I quit teaching in 2012, I felt blessed at first to be able to escape the field of education. (That's a rant for another day.) I felt blessed to spend more time with my boys. (And terrified at the same time because I was used to structure and routine that was provided by a typical J.O.B.) I felt blessed and excited to pursue a dream to bake and cook and own my own business. (And overwhelmed at the same time because it's a GIANT leap of faith for me. ) 

I've spent countless moments second guessing my decision. Countless hours praying God would show me exactly what to do. I guess I just thought He would eventually draw up a business plan and hand it to me with directions.

I've also gotten caught up in the comparison trap.  You know the one.  The trap where you look at what every other person with your skill set or similar dream and you start thinking you are not as good as they are or maybe this will never work for you.  Me personally, I get caught up thinking that maybe there isn't room for another baker in this small county.  I also get caught up wondering if I'm missing what God really wants me to do.

I mean its frustrating and nerve wracking starting your own business.  Essentially you pass or fail by people's opinions of your work... which is terribly scary!

So I started reading inspirational blogs and articles.  I studied my Bible more.  All great things by themselves.  BUT THEN, I started to worry. (not so good thing)  Worrying that God has something bigger for me planned and that I was MISSING it!  I mean shouldn't we do great big things for God?  Hasn't He given us EVERYTHING?  Don't we owe him our entire life?  The answer is YES.... and no.  We do owe Him our entire life.  He has given us everything.  We should do big thing for God, but those big things may simply be small things every day that add up to honoring Him.

This past week, no joke, I have seen, heard, or read the same verse multiple times.

Colossians 3:23 "Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men,"

I get it, God.  I finally get it.  You can say YES to God right where you are.  Right there in the midst of the messy house, crazy kids, buttercream frosting, and chocolate boxes spread out everywhere.  Oh is that just me?!  I don't think so.  God wants us to honor him through our work, with our work, and while we work.  It doesn't have to be as a minister, missionary, conference speaker, fundraiser, or volunteer.  It doesn't have to be some huge decision that we need to move across the world and raise orphans.  All those things are beautiful acts of service for God.  But our Yes can be to teach our children to love Him.  To work hard to build our dream.

Our Yes can simply be that what we do each day should reflect Christ more than ourselves. 

Our lives are filled with so many distractions. So many daily activities that can keep our focus off of God. What if we purposely looked for ways to make God the focus of those activities?  To dedicate time or specific actions to bring glory to God? Maybe its encouragement of friend in need, a pause to pray with them even among a crowd, a quick text, Facebook message or note in the mail.  Maybe its reacting gracefully in times of stress or anger or frustration.  Maybe its extending ourselves one more time in a fruitless situation.  What if we thought less about what we wanted and more about how we can exalt God?  What if taught our children that God is THE most important priority in life by setting the example in our own?

Maybe our YES to God is doing our very best in our work.  Smiling at our customers.  Thanking our boss.  Being grateful for a job that God provided for our family.  Taking an extra moment to make sure what we wrote, created, built, assembled, spoke, taught, designed, mixed, or cleaned was to the BEST of our ability.  I mean if we are to work as if we are working for the LORD then shouldn't those tasks however minute be done as if its the most important thing to God?

Simply realizing and understanding this one this one thing has revolutionized the way I think this week.  Am I still going to be frustrated that my businesses aren't growing as much as I want?  Sure.  Am I going to work harder to see them succeed?  Absolutely! I am working as if God himself is directing my steps and that makes all the difference.  Perhaps there is more to come for me... but for now I will work what I have been given.  What I believed two years ago that God was giving me the chance to do.  I will honor Him and wait for further instructions or different doors to be opened.  And I will work while I wait.