In our culture, with social media constantly in our faces, it is way too easy to be consumed in other people’s stories. When I say “story” I mean the life that God has given them and the opportunities He has called them into. We may even be more engaged in the daily life of our favorite person on Instagram than those we call our closest friends. We live in an age where it’s easy to become so consumed with what is going on with others that we can lose sight of what God is doing in our own lives as well as the lives of our kids, spouse and close friends. When we’re so consumed in the lives of others, we become numb, we may compare and become easily discontent without even realizing it.
We can’t bring Him glory if we’re stuck in someone else’s story.
God has uniquely gifted each and every person He created. He has given unique interests, talents and personalities. Some women are crafty, some love to cook and host parties. Some women seem to do it all; they run a business, have dinner on the table every night and their kids are in all the activities. Some women thrive in the quietness of their own homes with their families. There is no right or wrong, but it is way too easy to compare in the age we live in to the point where it can feel like we are never doing enough or never doing anything well. We may start believing the lie that we’re spending our time in the wrong way or that maybe God forgot about us because we see someone else making a visible impact.
This is something that I’ve been wrestling with in my own life. There are so many incredible women following God’s calling and this should be something to be celebrated! But it’s so easy to get wrapped up in what He has called others to and forget that He is also at work in me. How can we give God glory with our lives if we’re feeling inadequate because of what He is doing in the lives of others? If we’re stuck behind the screen watching what everyone else is doing and thinking that their calling is higher? Consumed with thoughts like: Maybe if we had their platform then we’d be able to have a bigger impact. Maybe if I had their house then I would be more comfortable inviting people into my home. Maybe if I had more time on my hands I could start a business as well.
I was reading 1 Corinthians 12 during my quiet time and it brought such encouragement.
There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men (vs 4-6)….All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines (vs 11)…But in fact, God has arranged the parts of the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? (vs 18-19)…On that contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable (vs 22)…But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. (vs 24-25)
How encouraging! The gifts and abilities God has given you are not by mistake. He gave them just as He determined and for a purpose! He didn’t forget to give you something that you weren’t meant to have. So let us not become distracted. What has God put in front of you today? Maybe it’s not the fancy speaking job or leading a company, but that doesn’t mean it’s any less important. Maybe He has you in a season of waiting – do it patiently! Maybe He has you raising tiny humans and drowning in laundry (Hi!) – do it faithfully! Maybe He has you leading a group of people at work or in your church – humbly point them to Jesus! Let us not become so consumed with what is in front of everyone else and what others are gifted in that we fail to remember what He has called us to and the story He is writing for us. In fact, let us pray to have hearts that encourage others in what is before them! I don’t know about you, but I want to be a woman who prays faithfully, encourages consistently and praises the Giver of all things with confidence that He has not forgotten me. I want to bring Him glory with what He has put before me!
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