IDENTITY AND CHANGES
«We remember the fish we used to eat for free in Egypt. And we had all the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, and garlic we wanted»
(Numbers 11:5, NLT).
Your job might change, but not your calling. Our lives go through different seasons and stages: studying, working, staying at home to take care of our children or an aging parent, retiring . . . Our jobs will change many times; however, beyond degrees and salaries, our calling and identity remain. In his book The Call, Os Guinness writes, «first and foremost we are called to Someone (God), not to something (such as motherhood, politics, or teaching) . . . Secondary callings matter, but only because the primary calling matters most.» By understanding this truth, we find freedom; freedom to live and enjoy every stage to the fullest.
When we learn to appreciate the present, we find peace and joy in our current stage. Sadly, our emotional energy is often focused on longing for the past and fearing the future. That makes us impose unrealistic expectations on ourselves that harm us. For instance, if you have just had a baby, it will be very hard to keep up the same exercise routine you used to have. You will be very frustrated if you intend for your body to return to its normal size in a matter of weeks. «Freeing ourselves from expectations and recognizing the rhythms of life implies accepting the limitations certain seasons impose on us,» writes Bruce Miller in Your Life in Rhythm. «For example, when you are going through a season of grief, it is not the time to start a big project. When you are on vacation, don’t plan on working.
Relinquishing expectations that don’t match with your rhythm, reduces your feelings of guilt.» Relax. Identify the stage you are in and live it. Believe that God has a purpose and He can use you precisely where you are.
Imagine all the guilt and frustration we would avoid if we acknowledged the stage in which we are! Nobody sows in winter. Nobody puts their laundry on the line to dry during a storm. Likewise, if you have just retired and have a limited income, you will need to be more careful with your spending than before. If you relinquish the expectation that your life will always remain the same, you will be able to enjoy the uniqueness of the stage in which you are. Do not feel envious of former times, or of other people. God is the One calling you to each and every one of the seasons of your life.
Dear Lord, thank You because You call me to every season of my life. I give up the expectations I have imposed on myself That do not belong to his stage. Amen.
#WomensDevotional
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Take From: Devotional Thoughts for Women 2022
«NO FEARS»
BY: VANEZA PISSUTO
Collaborators: Alexandra Pérez & Angelica Cuate.