Don't Quit Your Day Job....
October Reading Plan: The Book of Acts
October Memory Verse: Isaiah 60:1-2
Prayer Requests Go Here.
New to SHINE? Go Here.
Question for all of you lovely ladies: Did you know that Paul was a tentmaker?
Me either.
In Acts 18:3, it says, "and because he [Paul] was a tentmaker as they were, he stayed and worked with them."
Well well well. Paul, one of the most incredible preachers of all time, made tents for a living. Who knew?
Paul provided his own way as he traveled. He did not depend on financial help from anyone as he states here:
"You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me. In all these things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive’ (Acts 20:34-35 ESV).
As I was folding clothes yesterday, I was thinking about Paul. I had no idea he was a tentmaker by trade. I was daydreaming of what Paul's life looked life. When did he find the time to make tents? Obviously his biggest legacy was left in his preaching.
However, without his trade to support him, he may not have been able to travel as extensively as he did without others questioning his integrity.
So, what does this say to my wife and mother heart?
We all have a mission. A HUGE one.
However, we sometimes feel that "other stuff" gets in the way of our God given mission. This is false thinking.
Here's why:
If God has given you a husband and children, they come first. After God, of course.
If God has provided you with a job outside of the home, not only can this be a mission field, but a way for God to use you to finance missions He may have for you.
Are you following me here?
Sometimes we can get all caught up with thinking that we are only doing God's work if we are at church, or on a mission trip, or teaching a Sunday school class.
This is not true!
Paul had a mission to preach.
However, Paul didn't forget about his day job. He still made tents. He provided a living for himself.
Did this affect his ministry in any way? Absolutely not.
As women, we are bombarded by guilt. On a daily, if not hourly basis.
Am I a good momma? Am I a good wife? Am I a good housekeeper? Am I a good employee?
Blah, blah, blah.
What the heck?
Why all the guilt?
Can we not just do our thing each day, give thanks for what we have, and spread a little joy?
YES!
We lose sight of the ministry right in front of us when we are daydreaming of being "in the mission field."
As a wife, I can tell you that being a wife is a mission field all on it's own! It's a daily surrender to the Lord to be loving, kind, graceful, and forgiving. Goodness gracious it takes all I have most days. And I mean ALL.
Don't get me started on the mission field of motherhood...whew. Where do I begin?
Just like Paul, we are tentmakers. Tentmakers in the fact that we have a daily mission. A day job that keeps us going. Day in and day out.
Whether it is a job that you walk into each day, or a job that you do within the 4 walls of your home. We all have a mission! Just like Paul.
Oh, and let's not forget our Savior, Jesus Christ. He was a carpenter by trade. He didn't just go around daydreaming of being the Son of God--he worked! He made a living for Himself as His ministry was in full swing.
God may also call us to teach, to preach, to serve....
However, it usually doesn't negate our day job.
Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Colossians 3:23
Wiping babies bottoms, cleaning toilets, preparing reports, grading papers, answering phones, scheduling appointments.......
Whatever you do, work as if working for the Lord.
There's our mission.
Clear as a bell.
Go, get to work today. Your mission is waiting.
on a mission,
jill
October Memory Verse: Isaiah 60:1-2
Prayer Requests Go Here.
New to SHINE? Go Here.
Question for all of you lovely ladies: Did you know that Paul was a tentmaker?
Me either.
In Acts 18:3, it says, "and because he [Paul] was a tentmaker as they were, he stayed and worked with them."
Well well well. Paul, one of the most incredible preachers of all time, made tents for a living. Who knew?
Paul provided his own way as he traveled. He did not depend on financial help from anyone as he states here:
"You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me. In all these things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive’ (Acts 20:34-35 ESV).
As I was folding clothes yesterday, I was thinking about Paul. I had no idea he was a tentmaker by trade. I was daydreaming of what Paul's life looked life. When did he find the time to make tents? Obviously his biggest legacy was left in his preaching.
However, without his trade to support him, he may not have been able to travel as extensively as he did without others questioning his integrity.
So, what does this say to my wife and mother heart?
We all have a mission. A HUGE one.
However, we sometimes feel that "other stuff" gets in the way of our God given mission. This is false thinking.
Here's why:
If God has given you a husband and children, they come first. After God, of course.
If God has provided you with a job outside of the home, not only can this be a mission field, but a way for God to use you to finance missions He may have for you.
Are you following me here?
Sometimes we can get all caught up with thinking that we are only doing God's work if we are at church, or on a mission trip, or teaching a Sunday school class.
This is not true!
Paul had a mission to preach.
However, Paul didn't forget about his day job. He still made tents. He provided a living for himself.
Did this affect his ministry in any way? Absolutely not.
As women, we are bombarded by guilt. On a daily, if not hourly basis.
Am I a good momma? Am I a good wife? Am I a good housekeeper? Am I a good employee?
Blah, blah, blah.
What the heck?
Why all the guilt?
Can we not just do our thing each day, give thanks for what we have, and spread a little joy?
YES!
We lose sight of the ministry right in front of us when we are daydreaming of being "in the mission field."
As a wife, I can tell you that being a wife is a mission field all on it's own! It's a daily surrender to the Lord to be loving, kind, graceful, and forgiving. Goodness gracious it takes all I have most days. And I mean ALL.
Don't get me started on the mission field of motherhood...whew. Where do I begin?
Just like Paul, we are tentmakers. Tentmakers in the fact that we have a daily mission. A day job that keeps us going. Day in and day out.
Whether it is a job that you walk into each day, or a job that you do within the 4 walls of your home. We all have a mission! Just like Paul.
Oh, and let's not forget our Savior, Jesus Christ. He was a carpenter by trade. He didn't just go around daydreaming of being the Son of God--he worked! He made a living for Himself as His ministry was in full swing.
God may also call us to teach, to preach, to serve....
However, it usually doesn't negate our day job.
Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Colossians 3:23
Wiping babies bottoms, cleaning toilets, preparing reports, grading papers, answering phones, scheduling appointments.......
Whatever you do, work as if working for the Lord.
There's our mission.
Clear as a bell.
Go, get to work today. Your mission is waiting.
on a mission,
jill
