Sunday God Meets Monday MomSample

A stray cat took up residence under the shed in our backyard and gave birth to a litter of three kittens. The girls were ecstatic. They spent the next two months spoiling the kittens with snuggles, treats from their lunches, and elaborately created play areas until it was finally time to find new homes for their favorite furry friends.

When the new owners picked up the last kitten, my girls sobbed. It is hard to say goodbye to something that we love, especially when it is something that we have invested time and energy in. I told them I was proud of them for taking care of the kittens and making sure they were ready for their new families. Sometimes our work is for someone else’s benefit.

READ

And Solomon, my son, learn to know the God of your ancestors intimately. Worship and serve Him with your whole heart and a willing mind. For the Lord sees every heart and knows every plan and thought. If you seek Him, you will find Him. But if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever. So take this seriously. The Lord has chosen you to build a Temple as His sanctuary. Be strong, and do the work. (1 Chronicles 28:9-10, NLT)

APPLY

Here is a little backstory about the verses above: David was the King of Israel and wanted to build a temple for God. However, God told him he was not the one to do the job, but his son, Solomon. David’s response was to set his son up for success. He drew up detailed plans for the construction, stockpiled all the supplies, and even contracted workers in advance. He put in the hard work of preparation and then handed this dream project over to someone else to complete.

We all know how it feels to let go of something that we have invested in. Our work on earth is to build up God’s Kingdom, and many times that means doing hard work and not being the one to enjoy the fruit of that labor. Sometimes letting go is deeply personal, such as sending an adult child out into the world for the first time. It is challenging to trust that the next person will take care of this idea, ministry, or person as much as you do.

When the temptation to cling tightly to our ideas and achievements swells, we remember we are not working for our own glory, but for God’s. When it is time to pass the baton, we have several choices. We can refuse to give it up and put the completion of the project at risk for our own desires. We can let go reluctantly and bitterly, allowing our attitude to sour its future. We can set the next leader up for success by doing everything in our ability to further God’s plans, regardless of who will end up with the credit.

While our culture is obsessed with recognition, let us be the ones who understand that the most important work happens behind the scenes. Success is determined by the choices that happen internally, led by motivations only God can see.

PRAY

Father, thank You for allowing me to be part of the work that You are doing to build Your kingdom on earth. Help me remember that this is Your work, and You care for it even more than I do. Search my motivations. Give me the desire to work hard and then gracefully release my hold when the time comes. May all the glory and credit go to You, always.

REFLECT

When was the last time I let go of something precious to me? How did I respond?