"Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:
But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway."
(1 Corinthians 9:24-27)
"Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God."
(Hebrews 12:1-2)
I just was thinking about this and how it is being faithful in every minute of the day that will add up over time to a life of faithfulness. Running this race daily with the glory of God and eternal life in view we will not be so caught up in the things of this life.
As godly women our day may well be spent in a lot of housework every day and we should remember to do all things to the glory of God.
We see that God says working hard is a good thing...as long as it's in pure and good ways of course. So as women, from Titus 2 we see where our focus may be in the home. There would be no two situations alike as we all have different lives but despite that there is much the same that we all need to face and if we have to go through something, someone else has and is most likely as well.
My current situation and the one I have been doing for many years is just regular housework and cooking etc for my family for the most part. But despite any ideas from the culture of that being a boring and "small" life, it is doing what needs to be done in order to live and we see God wants women to be focused in the home. It helps to be reminded of this as we are to please the Lord and not man.
So speaking of keeper at home tasks, today I spent a lot of time with ear protection on running a loud carpet and upholstery cleaner. Being in the country with a large family means a LOT of dirt makes it's way inside. Yeah sometimes us women like things to be very clean and tidy (me for one:-)...but that's not usually the case or even very practical out in the country etc. So yes you just kill your flesh and live with it as best you can...even if that is patiently enduring your brother walking inside with dirty boots from being in the chicken pen. Of course you do what needs to be done most urgently but there's no way you can keep on top and do it all. But I admit it was satisfying to see literally the darkest brown water coming out of the carpet:-) We rarely clean them but it needed doing obviously.
This might make you smile. It's dinner for four tonight. We were having leftovers and that's what it ended up being (and there was even some leftovers from this).
There's lentil and bacon soup from a few nights ago and zucchini slice and coleslaw from last night, and then my dad cooked the extra stir-fry and steamed pumpkin. There's a lot of activity in housework etc at the moment so it's great when you don't have to spend long in the kitchen. Praise the Lord for providing.
At the moment we are blessed with fresh eggs, cabbage, zucchini, leeks and pumpkins...which is one of the last remaining ones from back in May.
I am looking forward to seeing my niece and nephew again soon. Their parents are planning on making the long trip over and staying for a week or so. While the world (and sadly so many claimed believers) goes about it's mad rush in this pagan season, the saints of God just strive on day by day, in the world but not of it doing those things which are pleasing to the Lord.
"Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world."
(James 1:27)
Yes we of necessity must walk through this world but we fight to be separate from it's evil ways. Yes it's trying and a burden at times as we just want to get on with God's true ways without having to see or hear evil but the more we endure we will grow stronger and we will be setting our affections and hopes on the things to come, Christ and eternal life.
Just perhaps we can shine the truth to a seeking soul as well. That's a good reason to endure through these things that perhaps we would rather avoid. God will be glorified by the transformed life of a saint standing separate from all the lies and evil ways. Even if most think we are weird for not going along with "what everyone's doing" we must not compromise but stand as a light for our Saviour.
"Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."
(Matthew 5:15-16)