made to do good work

I trusted God with my life from a young age. Kids are known to trust easily and with very little consideration so I can’t confidently say that my thought-processing skills were up to par at that time but I do remember thinking through that decision, the best a 5 year old could.

I remember wanting God to be in my life because of what that would do for me — at that time it was to secure my spot in heaven. We’re all guilty of it; including someone into our lives solely because of what they add and how it might benefit us. It’s not a bad reason, but without proper investment, the reason for including them into our lives becomes more and more shallow. I give myself grace because I was so young but I’d say that was as shallow as a relationship gets. I was not sure how this relationship could and would benefit me through every season of my life nor was I thinking about it. It wasn’t until I got older that I started realizing that there are things I can do to keep a relationship whole and healthy. And much like many of us, it took even longer before I put that concept to use in my everyday walk.

Growing up, my surroundings served much like a crutch as far as the amount of effort I put towards getting to know my Creator on an individual level. Guidance is never a bad thing, however when we lean more on the safety it offers rather than the lesson in front of us we lose opportunities to put into practice what’s inside of us. I have often wondered how many people have had a “light-switch’’ moment where they can honestly say that they suddenly “get it” and have little question or doubt to follow. For me, understanding what God means to my life has felt more like a sunrise over a very mountainous landscape, lighting up different parts of my creation as time carries on. And so, I was much older by the time I began putting action towards what I’ve learned and started to see the beauty of it coming to fruition in my life. To put into specific words what exactly that has looked like is a challenge, because it’s an ongoing process for me. The most evident thing that personal practice of getting to know the One who made me has produced is a greater comprehension for what I’ve been made for. What good works I’ve been created for. Learning what that looks like everyday has become more than fulfilling and walking in it is a better gain than any worldly success. May my good work always equal love, for it is the work I was made for. Let it remain the order of my days, the work I had better be doing.