I am someone who does not like to coast. I don't want my marriage, motherhood, or life to be on auto pilot. I like to strategize. I want to always be growing, always be engaging in life. Going through the motions without intentionality, energy, or a goal in mind is a waste of time. I firmly believe everything can matter. Sweeping the floors, wiping snotty noses, changing diapers, even the most mundane of tasks can matter. 1 Corinthians 10:31 says, "So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." Do you notice that it uses something super basic as an example? It doesn't say, "So whether you are doing surgery or are CEO of your company..." although those would fall in the "whatever you do" category. It literally says whether you EAT or DRINK, do it for God's glory. Which every human mindlessly does every day. It's routine. It's necessary for living. But to engage in such a way that it brings glory to God, to be that intentional that sipping your water MATTERS. That is the kind of living I am after.
Whether I am at church worshipping the Lord or I am in the living room folding three baskets of laundry, I desire to engage in such a way that it brings God glory, and therefore matters. This desire especially impacts the way I mom my kids. If I merely focus on surviving the day or on keeping them alive or just on getting to bed time, I miss out on so much opportunity to maximize my influence on them in a way that matters. But when I consider nursing my baby or picking her up when she's crying to be the blueprint of how her heart one day experiences God--that He will take care of her, that He is present for her, and that He can be trusted--it radically impacts how I think of my job as "Mom." When I consider that marriage is to be an illumination of the gospel and an illustration of Christ's love, it shapes how I think about my marriage and engage in it.
Honestly, I find so much motivation by the fact that God woke me up today and that because He woke me up today, He has a plan for me. And if He has a plan for me, it's a good one because He is a good God. And if it's a good plan, I want to walk in it. So, I look for opportunities to make it matter. To be more intentional. More present. More thoughtful. I want my life to count for eternity. On earth as it is in heaven. In home as in heaven. And while I am certain that I have missed opportunities in the past, and will miss some today, I am committed to keep showing up and seeking the God that gives life a lasting purpose. Philippians 1:6 "being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." Friend, wherever you are, whatever your job is, whoever you are with, you can make it matter. If you woke up, God has a plan for you, and if He has a plan, it's a good one, and if it's a good one, don't you want to live it?
Making it matter,
Laura Jones
Thankful for the way you constantly inspire me to love our kiddos well. Excited for this blog.
ReplyDeleteGod, use this space to draw people to yourself and to encourage people in their pursuit of you and love of others.
#homeasinheaven
Woooo Mama! LETS GO!!!!!! that just fired me up! Praising God for the encouragement and His goodness!
ReplyDeleteLove this, Laura! I read verses all the time, but missed reading this verse the way you just laid it out. Whatever means everything! Even something that seems so mundane, I could literally hear you through this post. Your passion, your drive and your deep desire to everything for the glory of God. Thankful for you!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE THIS! You are a beautiful writer and express your heart so well. So proud of you!
ReplyDeleteReminded while reading of the end of Joshua - 24:14 “Now therefore fear the Lord and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. 15 And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." Whether we acknowledge it or not, we are always serving something - flesh or spirit. Excited to make this year MATTER by pursuing intentionality in all actions. Thanks for this word, L!
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