I CRINGED AND THOUGHT,
“OH, NO,” WHEN I SAW MY
FRIENDS WERE USING AN
ONLINE SOURCE TO SIGN UP
FOR THE LATEST MEAL TRAIN.
I knew God didn’t want me to participate because
of my care-giving responsibilities. Still I worried,
“What will they think if they don’t see my name on
the list?” I felt the conflict of wanting to obey God
but risking being misunderstood if I didn’t sign up.
It’s a tendency of mine, to put myself under
pressure to do what other people might think
I should do. But is that what should guide my
decisions? Of course not!
The world, especially the American culture,
screams its messages: be productive, look
good, keep it together. Yet God’s way is different,
beckoning me to rest in Him and find my
contentment and value in Him.
One area in which we Christian women often
strive to “look good” is hospitality. Sadly, we drive
ourselves crazy — which doesn’t glorify God —
when we think our show of being all together with
the gourmet meal or perfect centerpiece exalts
God. But in reality, who are we really glorifying?
I’m learning to ask myself questions like:
•Am I joining this committee because I’ve seen
how disorganized the leader is and they need me
to straighten it out?
•Do I feel compelled to “like” this post on Facebook
or pass along the next online chain letter because
otherwise my friend won’t think I’m supporting her?
•Am I working hard on the church event so
everyone will see how creative I am, rather than
looking to God for his approval and applause?
In each decision, I ask the Holy Spirit to evaluate
my heart. He exposes my muddy motives so I am
able to discern when it is truly God that is leading.
Regardless of what anyone else thinks, whether I
sign up for the meal or not, if He has not impressed
on me to do a thing, I can know I’m obeying Him.
I ask the Holy Spirit to evaluate my
heart. He exposes my muddy motives
so I am able to discern when it is truly
God that is leading.
That’s the freedom God offers us all. His eyes of
love see us in Christ. We wear His righteousness
and no longer need to worry about performance
(Philippians 3:9).
In Christ we have worth and value which is never
based on how we look to others. As we are set
free, we will see Paul’s challenge fulfilled in our
lives: “filled with the fruit of righteousness that
comes through Jesus Christ — to the glory and
praise of God” (Philippians 1:11, ESV). LH
