Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope."
Today is Labor Day. A day that we celebrate the work that we do by taking a day of rest. Sometimes work is a struggle and sometimes it is a joy. In my life I have experienced a variety of thoughts about work and what I am meant to do. Most times I felt slightly out of place but competent, never feeling like I was quite a part of the whole and not really knowing if a particular position was truly a part of the purpose God had for my life.
In many areas of life I have always felt like I was on the outside looking in. Growing up on the move as part of a military family can have that affect. You get used to always moving and going so you never allow for the connections to be permanent. I have struggled more with connection than any other thing in my life, short of control and sadly they go hand in hand. If I don't feel connected then I want to feel in control so I constantly strive to be the best at whatever I am doing and sometimes that makes me competitive.
The last few years have shifted my perspective on work and fitting in. I am clinging now to this verse, John 15:19, "If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you." Now don't get me wrong, you have to read the rest of the chapter to truly understand. Jesus is calling us to love all people regardless but to remember that the rulers of the time hated Him and sought to kill Him. Why? Because He was teaching people to love without borders and boundaries and to let go of the rules that were not a part of His plan for the church.
In today's culture Christians have not lived up to their name of being little Christs. I can't point a finger without four of mine pointing back at me. I have lived at times as if I knew all the answers and my way was the only way to follow Christ, but God. He has shown me so much about what a broken sinner I am. I am not perfect, I am not in control and I have no clue how to live this life without Him. He is the reason I am even alive. He is the reason that every day I get up trying to be more like Him than like the world. I don't feel a part of this world, not because I don't fit anymore but because I long for heaven and the perfect place it will be when we are with Him all the time.
I recently achieved a major goal, I sat for my licensing exam and passed to be called an LMSW, Licensed Mastered Social Worker. Many times over the past years I thought that would never happen but my wonderful encouraging, friend and husband pushed me to step out of my box. It took me a long time to fulfill this goal and what I long ago felt was God's call on my life. So often we think that if God calls us to do something it will immediately come to pass. But what I've learned is sometimes it takes a lifetime. Why? Because he needs to burnish our rough edges so we are better able to fit in the slot where He wants us to be, more like Him and less worried about the status or level of our accomplishments. I couldn't have achieved any of this without God. The two years of school and study were emotionally and mentally exhausting thanks to a variety of challenges.
For the first time in a long time I truly feel I am in the right place. Not just physically but emotionally and mentally. Oh, I still have a lot of work to do to become like Christ but I see some things so much more clearly and I have a deep appreciation for the new job I have just started. I am using that license and degree to help families. And even more blessed, I am doing it with a team that is truly awe inspiring in their abilities and their heart for God.
Oh what joy it is to wake up at 5:15 am and know that I am going to a job that is fun but busy and actually work. Sounds crazy, right? But for the first time in a very long time I fill like I fit where God placed me. All of the other positions were building blocks to get me to this place. A place where I can appreciate the job I have been given and strive to do what God wants me to do. I haven't always seen my jobs as a work for God and that is something I regret. He was always watching and I wonder if I didn't fit because I didn't try to do it His way but my way. Colossians 3:23-24 says, "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ."
So for today I'm going to rest in the Lord, knowing that life is not supposed to be easy if we are striving to be like Him, but it is supposed to be joyful. Even during the hard times we can cling to His joy and peace. Knowing that His plan is for a future and hope. HAPPY LABOR DAY!
