Sometimes, living intentionally means living in obedience to God in the small things He gives, when your heart dreams of doing something bigger.
I’ve felt it—maybe you have to—that nudge from God to focus
on what’s at hand, instead of what you hope to be.
For me, it was a feeling—a whisper from God—while I was
driving to meet a friend for lunch. His message? To focus more at home and with
my family.
I didn’t quite understand it. I mean, I’m not exactly a
social butterfly. But, it was real, and I knew it was from Him. If I wasn’t
sure or thought I imagined it, I wouldn’t have brought it up at lunch only
minutes after it happened. But, I knew, so I talked about it.
And in the months since, I understood a few times why He was
pulling me home, and I’m glad I followed.
But sometimes, there are still those moments. Moments when I
think, Is this it, God? This blog and the
others I write for regularly, is this enough? Because I don’t feel like I’m
doing much.
I don’t worry about page views, or lack thereof. I know God
will use it as He sees fit. But I get tired and I wonder if it matters. I dream
of doing something bigger—more important…and then….
Then, God sends a reminder that this is what He's called me to for right now. A thank you from someone unexpected. Someone who has been on
the receiving end of God’s work—through a reader who shared my words.
A message from God, in the
form of a thank you, reminding me that what I think are the
small things aren’t small at all when He uses them.
I read a post yesterday by Jennifer Dukes Lee about living intentionally,
and I thought about how I have to intentionally focus on what God has called me
to right here, right now. Because the truth is, I dream of something bigger,
and bigger makes today’s small seem not so important.
I think about the parable of the three servants in the Book
of Matthew, chapter 25.
“The master was full of praise. ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!” Matthew 25:21
And I’m reminded that small is good. Small is important.
Small prepares me for what else God may have planned for me.
And God says, Let’s
celebrate together!
In Christ,
Linking with Notes From a Blue Bike Blog Tour, Recommendation Saturday, The Weekend Brew, Hear It on Sunday, Use It on Monday, Playdates with God, #TellHisStory, Everyday Jesus
*****
This
post is part of the Blue Bike Blog Tour, which I’m happy to be part of. To
learn more and join us, head here.
Notes From a Blue Bike is written by Tsh
Oxenreider, founder and main voice of The
Art of Simple. It doesn’t always feel like it, but we DO have the freedom
to creatively change the everyday little things in our lives so that our path
better aligns with our values and passions. Grab your copy here.
Well, Laura, I stumbled upon your post today unintentionally, and frankly I liked the photo but decided to read the post before I pinned it {didn't know what board to put it on}. Wow! just about what I was thinking this morning, that I am writing posts for someone someday who may come along and it will be just what they need. Or more importantly, because it is what is before me to do today, and before God I will do my best at it. Thanks so much for the encouragement. I'm going to follow you on twitter (I'm thistle). God bless! ~Joyce
ReplyDeleteHi Joyce, so glad you stopped by! Isn't it great when God confirms what He's telling us by showing it to us in different places? I love that He's patient and knows that hearing it once may not be enough. Thanks for the pin and the follow. God bless!
DeleteJoyce...found your post at Renewed Daily. I'm linked up behind you. What a great post about living intentional even in the small things and especially when God tugs at your heart. Intentional living is a theme at my blog that I weave in a lot. Thank you for the reminder today. Have a great week.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you found your way over, Naomi. :) I'll be stopping over your way. God bless!
DeleteI think I left a comment just a bit ago.... hope it went through. Thank you for linking up with Recommendation Saturday! <3 Heart Hugs, Shelly
ReplyDeleteOk, apparently my earlier comment was lost. I wanted you to know that I don't often comment, but I do often share. Your words are like glitter on my path. I always appreciate seeing your posts pop up in my email. So often your message is just the word God needed to get to me. I'm so happy that your small work finds it's way into my small world, because you make things brighter and lighter. Thank you for doing what you do. You matter. Heart Hugs, Shelly <3
ReplyDeleteYour post spoke to me. I too long for something bigger and I had never applied the parable of the talents to me and my blogging/writing. I need to be faithful with what God has given me.
ReplyDelete"...is this enough? Because I don’t feel like I’m doing much."
ReplyDeleteWow. I often feel that way too, Laura. But you're right that small is good. Small is important. If we're doing what God is calling us to do in this day, in this moment, it is important. I'm glad we are on the same wavelength in our posts. We can definitely celebrate together :)
Focus is an issue for me too. I am so glad we are going to be going through the 10 Week devotinal study together. I was really inspired today becuase your post mirrors how I have been feeling lately. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteLove this post, Laura! Yes, I'm veyr familiar with the wondering...why do I blog?...why do I teach Sunday school? Does it really matter? Is it enough?
ReplyDeleteBut, then, someone will let me know how much a specific post or lesson meant to them, and I know...this is what it's about...being faithful in the small things and letting God use it for His glory.
Thanks for sharing!
'Because the truth is, I dream of something bigger, and bigger makes today’s small seem not so important.'
ReplyDeleteI can so relate, Laura. For a long time I was getting disheartened by my attempts to live more simply as I felt like my results were so far away from the dreams I had in my heart. Realising that simple and intentional living is a journey though and not a destination has made all the difference.
Such rich and important wisdom here, Laura - living intentionally is something I need to be reminded of often. Thank you for this.
ReplyDeleteLaura, I needed to hear that it's not my efforts that matter as much as what God does with my obedience to Him. Thanks so much!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post my friend. Much needed as I find my self shrinking back. Blessings!
ReplyDeleteSometimes the little things are the hardest things to focus on doing well, aren't they? It seems that intentionality should be reserved for something bigger, but this is what makes life beautiful, isn't it? when we pay attention to the small moments passing by. Beautiful, Laura.
ReplyDeleteLove this. So glad I clicked over from Sharita's link up. The truth that you share with us confirms what God has laid on my heart over and over... He uses the small to achieve the significant. I am in the place of wondering if what I am doing is enough- so thank you for this.
ReplyDeleteI often wonder the same thing - does blogging make a difference in anyone's life? I love to write and I feel called to do it, so I keep going, writing about whatever God prompts me to (sometimes just a craft or recipe.) I just found your blog and am a new follower, b/c I love finding other believers in the blogosphere! Come visit me, if you'd like-clicking my name will take you to my blog. I think, as Christians, we never really know who is affected by how we live and try to love. But, God knows, and someday, we will too. :-)
ReplyDeleteYou are so incredibly right, my friend. Being faithful in the small things is one of the greatest ways we can bring glory to God. (I struggle with this concept. I am all about go big or go home. But He doesn't work like that.)
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this truth over at Everyday Jesus. You bless me!