Answering God's Call to be Home

Divas of the Divine Daily Devotional

Dear Divas:

If any of you know me, you will know that this posts, by Glynnis Whitwer, could have easily have been from me. we are two peas in a pod. I have always been business minded/career oriented. To me, sucess in the workplace equaled success in life. So much was my slant towards business, that on my high school graduation, my parents bought me a sleek leather briefcase and a solid Gold Cross Pen Set. My attitude was..."Working World here I come!"

The fact is, I am uniquely gifted towards business and professionalism. It is also what I like...but through several years (and several rebellious tears) it seems God was leading me to stay home.

Obedience has not been easy for me. I struggle to be content at home with the kids. I can barely read a newspaper without scanning the Help Wanted ads. And when I introduce myself to women, I still cringe a little, when they ask me what I do.

I am trying to focus on my writing and getting my feet wet in freelance work, but this move "home" is requiring me to truly lean on and trust God. I know He has a plan for me, so I rest in that, finding contentment at home, with the children he has blessed me with.


Love,
Saucy Sister

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October 19, 2007



Answering God's Call to be Home

By Glynnis Whitwer

"Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain." (Psalm 127:1 NIV)

Devotion:

From the time I was a little girl, I envisioned myself as a career woman. It wasn't that my mother modeled this at home; she waited until I was in high school to work outside the home. I suspect it was a cultural norm. Whatever the reason, step-by-step, I progressed towards a full-time career.

Although I reduced my hours when my children were small, that was a temporary delay in my plan to excel professionally. You see, I was enamored of the business-woman persona -- leather organizers, sleek business suits and heels that click when you walk down a hall. Little did I know that God's plan for me actually involved t-shirts, shorts and sandals that flap when I walk into my kitchen.

Nine years ago, God redirected my career goals and called me to work at home. God wasn't subtle in this "call," which I would actually call a "shout." It seems I had ignored His gentle nudging and promptings to leave the traditional workplace for years. So, faced with a self-driven woman (that would be me), God picked up my family and moved us 2000 miles away from everything I knew, in order to make His will clear.

A traditional career is a wonderful thing, if God has called you to it. But that's the key -- knowing where God is calling you and being obedient to that calling. God was clearly calling me to work at home. He called me to re-examine my priorities and live a life that reflected His plans, not mine.

Psalm 127:1 warns against making plans without the Lord's approval: "Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain." I had gotten my contractor's license, designed the plans and construction was underway. Unfortunately, God was only a subcontractor in my agenda. Thankfully, I listened when the Lord spoke loudly and I relinquished control.

Every day, God calls women to transition from the workplace and come home. We all have different reasons. Some women want to be more involved with their children, volunteer more, or start a home-based business.

Whatever your reason, if God is calling you home, then I encourage you to be obedient. It might not be easy, but it is possible with God's help. When you hand over control of your building project, you will find a life filled with blessings beyond your imagination.

Heavenly Father, I praise You for your goodness and faithfulness. I ask forgiveness for seeking my own way in this world, and building my own house. I give You control of my life and ask You to reveal Your will to me. Please give me wisdom and resolve to answer Your call on my life. In Jesus name, Amen.

Related Resources:

If you believe God is calling you to work at home, Glynnis Whitwer will be hosting a 4-part conference call series - based on her book work@home: A Practical Guide for Women Who Want to Work From Home - beginning Monday, October 29th on how to make the transition. For more information, click here.



Living Life on Purpose by Lysa TerKeurst



Application Steps:

Ask the Lord to confirm His will for your work, or to reveal His plan if it's different from your current situation. Look at your calendar. Do your time commitments regarding family, work, volunteering and church reflect your priorities? If they don't, ask the Lord to direct changes that might need to be made.



Reflections:

What happens over time when you make a commitment that isn't in God's will for you?



Psalm 127:1 says, "Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain." What have you "built" without the Lord's approval?



This Psalm describes labors who work in vain. This implies that their work has no satisfactory outcome. Have you experienced laboring in vain? Describe.



Power Verses:

Proverbs 16:3 "Commit your works to the Lord, and your plans will be established." (NAS)



Romans 8:28 "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose." (NIV)



Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." (NAS)



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