Over Labor Day weekend, I was privileged to hear a very encouraging sermon by our pastor, Mac Williams. Ever since leaving the work force to stay home with my children, I have struggled with finding fulfillment. I love my children. I love homeschooling them. I love preparing healthy foods for my family and making sure that our home runs smoothly. But there has always been that thought that I should be doing more. At first, I missed the financial benefits of working outside the home. Over the years, though, my struggle has stemmed more from my perception of the teaching of many churches that we need to be active in ministry outside our homes. Then there is a sense that as a Christian, I should be doing more than "just" taking care of my family and schooling my children.
Pastor Mac spoke about the "Doctrine of Vocation," the idea that God changes the world by common people living out their faith in their everyday lives. We don't need to be ministers or missionaries to be included in God's plans for the increase of His kingdom. At least three times, Pastor Mac mentioned housewives and parents fulfilling their roles in the Kingdom of God by caring for their families and children. I needed to be reminded of that, to be encouraged that God's work for me is right in front of me everyday.
It was also a good reminder to me that by constantly seeking for "other things" that I should be doing, I may very well be neglecting the very work that God has chosen for me. If you need that reminder or encouragement, you can check out the sermon at www.tworiverscc.org. Click on the sermons link, then check out "The Sacred Calling of Work" from 9/1/2013.
