A Time to Go, A Time to Stay: Embracing God’s Calling in Each Season
Several years ago, my husband, Judah, headed up a mission trip to Mongolia with some members of our church. Judah and I both grew up in Mongolia, and his parents still live there, so we decided to try to take the whole family. However, shortly after the planning got underway, I found out I was expecting baby number four—due only two weeks after the projected return date. So, we pivoted. My husband took our son, and I stayed home with our toddler girls.
This wasn’t the first time I’d had to shift gears in ministry opportunities due to our growing family. Leading worship, planning church events, and helping with administrative tasks for the women’s ministry I write for were slowly replaced with the daily jobs that come along with welcoming little ones. Although this mission trip wasn’t the first thing I’d had to let go of (and generally I love being home with my kids), there was an extra twinge of disappointment this time. Due to another baby, I was being called upon to hold down the fort while my pastor-husband led the charge in ministering to others in my beloved childhood home.
Every Task is Valuable to God
It can be so tempting as a mom—when days are filled with changing diapers, calming tantrums, and doling out graham crackers—to think we’re setting aside grand and important ministry opportunities for something less valuable. The necessary, mundane tasks of life can take up every spare moment. On top of that, some of us might be walking through chronic sickness, taking care of an ailing loved one, or facing other challenges which make any “extra” ministry out of the question.
As I’ve pondered this, a story from Scripture comes to mind.
In 1 Samuel 30, King David went to battle, leaving behind a group of men to watch the baggage who were too weak and weary to fight. When he returned victorious, David directed that everyone—even the men who had stayed behind—were to receive an equal portion of the spoils. Some of the men who went to battle protested, saying the men who hadn’t fought didn’t deserve the same amount as those who had. David said to them, “Who would listen to you in this matter? For as his share is who goes down into the battle, so shall his share be who stays by the baggage. They shall share alike” (1 Samuel 30:24).
David placed just as much value on the work of those who stayed as the work of those who fought. He was demonstrating something we see echoed throughout Scripture: every God-given task, whether big or small, is of importance in his kingdom. What matters is that we’re faithfully obeying the commission given to us by our King, Jesus Christ.
God’s Economy
In certain seasons of life (like motherhood), we are often called to “stay behind.” We might give up opportunities in order to take care of the basic needs of an infant. Maybe our daily work is to faithfully keep the home front, without much ongoing recognition or reward. We may take a background role at work or say “no” to ministry requests because our health simply won’t allow it.
There are also worldly messages continually swirling around us, declaring that spending our days doing these mundane tasks is a waste of time and talent. And, if we give ear to them, we can find ourselves feeling useless, restless, and joyless.
But in God’s economy, these commissions are not lesser-than. They are eternally valuable and holy in his eyes. He sees loving our husbands and children and caring for our homes as important.[1] He tells us that giving and praying done in secret will be rewarded.[2] He says even a cup of cold water given to a child can be done for his glory.[3] He values the “copper penny” of worship more than the mounds of gold given for show.[4] And he tells us that the greatest is the servant of all.[5]
Take Heart
Does this mean it will be easy? No. We’ll still battle discontentment when doing what we’re called to do goes against what we want to do. We’ll be tempted to compare our circumstances to those around us whose jobs seem far more glamorous. The enemy of our souls may whisper lies in our ears that we’re of no use to God when we’re weak or our hands are busy picking up Cheerios. But as we look to Jesus and simply say, “Use me, Lord, for your glory,” he surely will. His power is not hindered by small children or illness or any other aspect of life; in fact, he often uses what is viewed as foolish or weak to shame the wise and the strong.[6] He has a plan and purpose for every one of his saints, whether out in the battle or guarding the belongings.
If you find yourself weary and discouraged, sister, take heart. Your season is not a surprise to God. He has not forgotten about you. He has a commission for you right where you are. Ask him to give you his vision for what is before you. And when those worldly voices try to distract you from God’s call on your life, keep your eyes fixed on him.
[1] Titus 2:3-5
[2] Matthew 6:4, 6
[3] Matthew 10:42
[4] Mark 12:43
[5] Mark 9:35
[6] 1 Corinthians 1:27
