How to Play Our Roles
Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 4:7-11 NIV
As a wife, mother, daughter, friend, speaker, and writer I often feel pulled in 1000 different directions. I have responsibilities in each of these areas, and it’s difficult to juggle them all. I sometimes find myself paralyzed, not knowing what item to tackle first on my never-ending list of things to do. Can any of you relate?
During these times of feeling overwhelmed and paralyzed, I slip into the trap of negative self-talk. My mind gets clouded, and I mentally “beat myself up.” Thoughts like “If I just had more self discipline, then I could get everything done. Am I even called to speak or to write in the first place? Will anything I say or write make a difference anyway? And what about these kids and husband you’ve given me, Lord, surely they deserve better. I should do so much more for them than I am doing.”
Sometimes I complain about all the things I have to do. I lament to God “I can’t do it. I don’t have the ability. I don’t have the strength.”
When I finally get to the end of myself, I cry out to God. I am reminded that this is the secret to being able to fulfill all of these roles in the first place, not depending on myself, but depending Him, our Creator and Sustainer.
The roles I play are gifts from God. I am to fulfill them without letting my thoughts get clouded. I am called to be clear-minded and self-controlled, so I can pray. I am called to love extravagantly and not grumble or complain. When I speak, it is to be the Words of God. And when I serve in any area, it is to be with the strength God provides…not my own.
God is the one who provides the strength. The only ability I have to provide is my availability. Everything I do should be for His praise and not for my own. When I remember these things my perspective changes. I feel a sense of relief, renewal, and refreshment. I am no longer paralyzed but can move forward with confidence in all the roles I play knowing I am faithfully administering God’s grace – the same grace given to me every moment of every day by the One who has all of the power and deserves all of the glory forever. Amen.
