Begin with two minutes of stillness and silence before God.

In January, I transitioned into a part-time position at my job. This decision was a hard one for me to make. I felt guilty about leaving my coworkers and my sweet boss to figure things out with me only being there for 50% of the work week. I worried about how things would look financially for our family and felt nervous about budgeting to make up the difference.

The pressure of what all could go wrong really weighed heavily on me, so I tried to push back the feelings that I had and see if maybe I could just “make it work” without having to go part-time. However, it seemed as though no matter what I did to change my routine or free up more time, I still couldn’t shake the unsettling feeling that I was missing the mark when it came to what the Lord had for me. I desperately desired to cultivate something so special with my children that I didn’t feel as though I had the capacity for. Making the transition was a leap of faith, but we haven’t missed a beat, and the Lord continues to bless us beyond anything that I ever imagined.

It took me a few months to find a groove with the part-time thing, but I was really able to settle into things this summer. And, boy, was this summer magical. For the first time, I felt as though I really began to get to know my children. I know that seems silly to say, but it’s true. I saw them in a way that I had never been able to before. I noticed new things about their smiles and the quirky little things that they do. I learned more about their deepest interests and was able to pour into those more. I have every laugh so perfectly etched into my memory.

It is wild to me to think of how much I was missing with them. Before this transition, I still knew them better than anyone and was making such a strong effort to be present. But, no matter how hard I tried, there was just too much in the way to cloud my view. Removing the busyness and distraction allowed me to focus on my purpose, my mission, and my calling as a mother. Once I did, all of these things became crystal clear to me.

This is just my story, and it may not sound like yours or be the path that the Lord is calling you to, but here is one thing that Peter clearly states for all of us in today’s chapters:

“For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love.” (2 Peter 1:5–7)

Peter lays out a clear path of spiritual growth. It is a reminder that faith is not passive. It’s alive and growing. For me, this season has been about that very growth and rediscovering deep affection and love for the calling I have right in my home.

He continues on to say:

“Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble.”(2 Peter 1:10)

Ultimately, our calling is to serve the Lord and to share what He has done, but this can look different from person to person. It’s easy to think of a “calling” as something grand or obvious. But sometimes, our calling is quiet. Sometimes it looks like slowing down, showing up, listening well, and laughing often. It might even look like washing dishes, folding laundry, answering a thousand questions, and somehow still finding joy in the middle of it all.

Chapter 2 gets a bit more serious. Peter warns of those with stories that sound like the truth but ultimately have roots in greed or deception. He speaks of how easy it is to be led astray by things that look right but are ultimately hollow. I think about how busyness, worldly ambition, or fear of others’ opinions can sometimes function in the same way in our lives. They can easily pull us off course, even when we’re trying so hard to do the right thing. But God's truth is steady. When we obey (even when it feels hard or a bit confusing), we’re walking in that truth.

So whether you’re in a season where everything feels clear and steady, or you’re still trying to figure out what’s next, I just want to encourage you to stay close to Jesus. Keep listening for His voice. Don’t worry about having it all figured out. Just keep saying “yes” to Him, one step at a time. There will never be a way for you to perfectly package your life or curate your calling. You just need to keep showing up with a willing heart and make space for the things that matter. He’ll do the rest. He’s faithful, and He always leads us exactly where we need to be for His glory and His purpose.

Take two minutes to reflect in silence.

Reflection:

Use the S.O.A.P. Method to study God’s Word.

• SCRIPTURE: What stands out to you in today’s passage?
• OBSERVATION: What is this text saying? What is the context? How does it fit with the verses before and after it? Are there any commands, instructions, or promises?
• APPLICATION: How can you apply this verse to your life? What does this mean today? What is God saying to you?
• PRAYER: Respond to the passage in prayer. Ask God to help you apply this truth to your life and spend some time listening to what He may be telling you.

James Weekly Verse Challenge

Want to go beyond just reading God's Word? Want to take action? As we study the Book of James in the "Faith That Works" message series, we encourage you to do more than read the theme verse. Each week, we challenge you to memorize the verse and put it into action. Beginning Monday, October 6, we will text the weekly verse on a downloadable wallpaper on Monday mornings. Download the mobile wallpaper to your phone and memorize the weekly verse as you strive to live it daily. 

Text "JAMES" to 601-299-4493 to receive each week's theme verse.