"Let us not cease to do the utmost, that we may incessantly go forward in the way of the Lord; and let us not despair of the smallness of our accomplishments." - John Calvin
A Missionary's Vision: http://visionarywomanhood.blogspot.com/2009/11/missionarys-vision.html
A stay-at-home mom (or daughter) is hardly what the world views as a successful vocation. Even in Christian circles it can be looked down upon (more toward daughters than moms). Why settle down and raise kids, when you could be working in orphanages in India?
It is easy to give in to the thought that raising children isn't as important as missionary work. The truth is that all Christians are missionaries, constantly preaching the gospel to those with which we come in contact. I think we can swing either way, making missions in America important or making serving overseas important. Both equally further the cause of Christ and we have to constantly check our balance to keep it from leaning one way or the other. Some of us will do great things for the Kingdom, and some of us will doing small things, but all our work is equal in the sight of the Father. None of us is greater than the other by what we do or how we serve. We may dream of doing great and noble things for Yahweh, when in reality it is He who does (and did!) great and awesome (in the true sense of the word) works for us. May we serve Christ wholeheartedly, whether here or there, abroad or at home, in the slums and in the mansions. May we run the race set before us and finish well by His power and might!
Grace and peace to you all,
Jessica
There are certainly greater and lesser degrees of service in the kingdom, I think the difference is not always in outward appearances, but how pure our motives are. Jesus told us to go into our closet to pray in order to keep our motives pure. Does that mean that those who lead in prayer meetings are wrong? Not necessarily, but they have greater temptation to become proud and do it for men rather than only God.
ReplyDeleteThere certainly are unique temptations for each area of life, but a stay-at-home life perhaps lends itself toward humility and purer motives because God may be one of the only ones who sees. In which case it would be a greater work of good than a missionary doing work to please men.
Ah, thanks for the correction, it is now fixed.
ReplyDeleteGood input, I would agree with you. No matter what work we are doing for Yahweh, we have to be certain our hearts are in the right place.
Troll Alert:
ReplyDeleteThat sounds alot like Isaiah talking about opportunities seized or relinquished.
Moms who recognize the opportunity offered by their God to instil in their children Godly values. Children will develope values on their own, but how much better is it to be instructed early in the truth?
Correct me if I am wrong, but I assume you are saying my post ties in with Isaiah's writing on thwarting God's will or missed opportunities? Yes, mothers (and fathers) have the chance there to influence their children that can be missed. A child's values will be shaped as they mature, but it is up to the parents to seize the opportunity to be an active participant in shaping and molding their children into men and women who will glorify Yahweh.
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