The other day a friend on facebook posted the question, "How does God see you?" It sparked quite an interesting discussion between a few different people and really got me to thinking. It compelled me to dig deep within my heart and evaluate that which was within.
How does God see me?
I know that because of Jesus' presence in my life, He sees me as His child. He sees me as worthy. He sees me as righteous. He sees potential. He sees an investment. He sees a creation that has been fearfully and wonderfully made...crafted by His own hands. He sees an individual that He loves.
So many times we base how we see ourselves or how we perceive God sees us based on how we think others see us. Sometimes the way we think others see us is real... Sometimes the way we think others see us is imagined... Sometimes they really do think certain things about us and sometimes, it's simply our imagination and those things aren't thought that way at all. In the end, does it even really matter?
The more I thought about the question and the reality of it, the more I began to focus on how God sees me. I let go of the perception of others (real or imagined) and dug deep within my heart and examined what was truly there. For what lies within the heart is truly what God sees. It's a secluded place. A place that no other can see. It's a place that belongs to the Lord and I alone. The more I thought about this, the more peace, assurance, rest and courage consumed me.
Does it really matter what others think?
Does it matter what they see?
Or should my sole focus be on what Jesus thinks?
And what He sees dwelling within?
Don't get me wrong. We should continually be emitting salt and light into our world. But who decides what is "deemed" as salt and light? What some see as the bearing of fruit, others might see as menial. What some might think is of spiritual value, others might think is fruitless. Is it truly for us to decide?
Being a stay-at-home wife and mom is of utmost importance and value to me. It is what I AM CALLED TO DO. Our home and the lives that dwell here within, is my ministry. Teaching, training and nurturing is my career. It is what I pour my every breath into. I live to serve. How does God see this? In the deep recesses of my heart, I believe He is pleased, glorified and blessed, for I am being obedient to what He has called me to do. How do others see this? I can only perceive...
I know I am not "out there"... Doing this. Doing that. Running here. Running there. Serving in this capacity. Serving in that capacity. Filling this position. Filling that position. Meeting this need. Meeting that need. No, I'm not burning my candles at both ends. Spreading myself to the thinnest layer. And because of that I know people see me much differently than God sees me. And for a long time, that really, really, really bothered me, but not any more. For I live to please God rather than man. For so much of my life, I was wrapped up in the needs and desires of others rather than of my family. I am regretful for that time.
God has called me to care for my home and my family. Others may see that as less-than, I believe God sees that as obedience. I get one chance to fully pour into the lives that He has entrusted to me and I want to be found faithful. For through fully pouring into them, it has the potential to transform the lives of many generations to come.
Bottom line... I'm not willing to sacrifice the call on my life for the sake of service. I need not add to or take away from that call to deem it "enough".
My response to the facebook conversation:
"Yep, me too. I'm thankful that He sees & knows my heart perfectly! He knows my longings, my desires & my motives. Others may judge & treat me by what they surfacely perceive, yet God is the One who guides my steps & directs my paths. Others may never understand who I am or why I do what I do, but God does! I find GREAT peace, hope, strength, assurance & courage in that promise!"
To sum it all up...
I am a child of the Most High God.
I am a help meet to the man who loves me most.
I am a momma to two beautiful young women.
I am the keeper of our home.
That's how God sees me.
And that's more than sufficient for me.
I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord,
beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Ephesians 4:1~3
But I said, "I have labored in vain and for nothing.
