On Resting and Gifts

Image credit: Flickr Creative Commons user zdbh12

A year ago (April 28, 2012), I attended a women’s event at our church, and I honestly cannot tell you now what my friend Jerra spoke about. It was about grains of sand and pearls and grace, but to it’s application, I’m not sure. But for the past year, I’ve had a bottle of sand sitting on my night stand. We were asked to write on a piece of paper things in which we needed to see God’s work, and then place that paper in the bottle and open it in year to look back on God’s handiwork over the year.

I suspect that I might be the only one who didn’t just throw the bottle away, not because I know people did that but because I’ve not heard tell of anyone wanting to open their bottle.

But anyway – as this date on the calendar approached, I began to remember my paper and my daughter very much wanted to open the bottle, see the paper, and I explained to her what it was and what it represented. I knew I’d asked God to show me more specifically my purpose. I also knew full well that I was in the midst of a major battle of answering the question on the paper, and I had a sense of trepidation that 1) nothing had changed or 2) no work had been noticed. I suspected God had been working, but I wanted to see it.

So let me back up to one year ago. One year ago, a week before the women’s event I just mentioned, I made a list of things that I felt had become idols in my life. Most of these things were dreams of mine – to homeschool, to be a missionary, to adopt a child, and on and on… good things. I wrote a post about it – When Dreams must Die. I mentioned in that post that the day after I wrote that list, my pastor had an altar call for idols, and I already had planned to give up my idols at the altar. I listened to that sermon again on Sunday, and I am humbled in the way God is working in our church. So powerful to think about.

But as the day approached to read my sand bottle note, I wondered if I would be able to see the work. It seemed that I felt more lost in the last few weeks than ever about who I am, my purpose, and what I am supposed to be. I told you about all the stuff I’ve been doing – too much. I told you that I possibly wouldn’t be writing as much while I finished up other commitments. I worried about saying no and just what that meant for me and my family.

Last week, I had a couple of bad days. The kinda bad days I haven’t had in a while, and I didn’t like the person I was on those days, but God showed me that when I wasn’t writing, that when I wasn’t using my gifts for His glory, I wasn’t resting. Now I can definitely take my gifts and idolize them and make resting an idol, but He was showing me that writing has to be a part of my life.

I think my personality type is one that may never find a substantive peace about my purpose, but I think I am closing the door on figuring out that stuff for now. I feel I have a better footing on who I am and where I hope to go. So a year later, I see the work He has done. And I hope to get back to posting regularly and updating the blog to fit the purposes of who I am for now. 😉 I have some new direction and several things in the works for the summer too.

So too, you are created with a purpose, and I believe that when we are doing what we are created to do, we are uniquely designed to be refreshed in the doing of that thing – whatever it is.

What brings you rejuvenation? What sets your soul to dancing? Do it and do it some more and see if you don’t find yourself to be resting in the Lord as well.

How are you using your gifts to rest?

or

How are you resting as you do what He’s created you to do?

Be blessed! You are loved by a mighty God!