Working in the background

 There is a lot of emphasis in our culture on making a name for yourself or being recognized.  People act like the only ones doing any work of note are those who are famous for it, those who are out front and out spoken, those who are the most visible.  Today, jobs like being a stay-at-home mom or janitor or behind-the-scenes organizer are thought to be only for those not intelligent enough to do something else more visible.  Sometimes I struggle with this, as most everything I am gifted in is more "behind-the-scenes."  I am a stay-at-home mom and most of my volunteer work involves things people never really notice.  This morning, I got a "kiss from the King" concerning my worth in these endeavors.  

Mark 15:40-41 says, "There were also some women looking on from a distance, among whom were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the Less and Joses, and Salome.  When He was in Galilee, they used to follow Him and minister to Him; and there were many other women who came up with Him to Jerusalem."  

In other words, Jesus had to eat.  He needed his clothes washed.  He needed to be taken care of and nurtured in a way that only women can do.  His disciples needed these things as well.  Their ministry could not happen without all of these "behind-the-scene" things going on as well.  And who did them?  The women.  They didn't need accolades or recognition.  They worked hard.  They were intelligent and industrious, like the Proverbs 31 woman.  Without them, the ministry of Jesus would have looked very different.  

Women, we need to stop trying to run the show like that is the only thing that matters.  We need to be proud to be women as God designed us, nurturing and giving care behind the scenes of our family’s and our ministry’s lives.  Yes, there are some who will be called to things that make them visible.  But that doesn't have to be even most of us.  And yes, it is ok for more men to be visible than women.  The point is to serve where you are called to serve and to put the needs of the gospel first.  The will of God above all human understanding.  God's design rather than man's distortion of it.  So if you are called to work in the background, know that you have worth.  That God sees everything you do for Him.  That everything you do for the furthering of the gospel matters.  Even if it is cleaning a toilet.  Even if it is rocking a baby.  Even if it is answering a toddler's millionth question.  Even if it is making a home so that your husband can be available to work at his assigned tasks.  "Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father." (Colossians 3:17)


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