Potential

The last few months, have been very challenging.  There have been a lot of financial, physical and emotional challenges that have popped up.  I have really been working hard to be joyful during these challenges, even though every thing in me wants to just throw the towel in and run away to somewhere sunny with a beach and drink in hand.  Obviously that isn't an option.  So, I have had to change the way I look at things. 

James 1:2-4 says "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.  Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

I love that!  "Perseverance MUST finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."  We have to keep going so that we may be mature and complete.  If we give up, we won't accomplish God's work in us.  Not only are we not allowing ourselves to be our best or most complete being, but we are hindering God from completing His work in us. 

Whoa!  What???  I'm hindering God from completing His work in me???  That just lights a fire in me to keep going.  How could I allow that?  I want to live up to HIS full potential for me.  What will that take from me? 

One thing I have learned that it will take is a change in my outlook and how I respond to things.  As a Full-Time working Mother of 3, I'm certainly tired.  Pulled in a million directions.  Needed by a million people.  I have tried so hard to be grateful of the opportunity to help so many, work, personal or family related.  In the everyday mundane things (you know, like cleaning the toliet or doing the mountains of laundry), I have tried to change my focus from the unending work but to the opportunity to serve.

Jesus called us to serve each other.  It is an honor to serve others, whether they are within your household or not.  Serving should be done with a joyful heart, because you want to do it, not because you have to.  "Be joyful always; pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

I heard recently that Shelia Walsh, a well known Christian recording artist/author/speaker, prays over each piece of laundry that she folds.  How cool is that?!  What a great way to pray for your children, spouse or even yourself, that God would work, protect and guide these lives.  I think that this is something that I really need to take up.  Maybe laundry won't seem like so much of a chore. 

Perseverance in this text doesn't only mean to keep going.  I learned in a Beth Moore study that it also means to have patience with the circumstances.  The trials that we face aren't ones that are here and gone in an instant.  There are trials that go on for years.  How easy is it to lose sight of the end result or even what happens along the journey?  To become weary?  Discouraged?  Angry?  It's easy to say, "Just think of what God is doing even though you can't see it now" to someone in the midst of trials.  But it's hard to remember that when you are faced daily with continual attacks from life and the enemy.  Here is our end result that makes it all worth while...

"Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him." James 1:12

I've chosen to find joy in all things, even the every day ordinary things for the end goal is all too important or priceless to pass up.  I want to live to HIS fullest potential for me.