Who Am I?

 Recently, I posted on my social media pages a few thoughts about how often women are asked, "What do you do for a job?"

As I've reflected further on this issue, I am encouraged that as women, we have been given the ability by God to encourage, love, and nurture others, even under immense pressure and responsibility.

In a world that so often defines us by our accomplishments, looks, dress code, and what we own, we can forget that God created us. Scripture tells us, "For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."  Ephesians 2:10

What am I? When considering this question - the first part of the answer is that I am a child of God, saved and forgiven, a believer in Jesus Christ.

Secondly, my job description now encompasses financial director, executive housekeeper, event planner and coordinator, diary manager, and secretarial administrator.

Reading the stories of Esther and Ruth reminds us that these women did not have easy choices to make.  They endured and participated in making a difference for their community, and family. Their stories are written down for us to be encouraged.

Read:  Ruth and Esther

My quote for 2023 is "To be successful at anything, you must simply be what most people aren't: Consistent" Anon

So, our question is not What Are You? Not what is your job?

Instead, ask yourself - Who Am I? Now that's an interesting question to ponder!

For further reading you might like to undertake - click here 

To read more about Who I am in Christ - click here

To view the social media post - click here

Expectations

Recently, I was reading some notes taken from a Sunday Church service.

One of the notes I took caught my attention:

“There is an ever-increasing demand on us to meet people’s needs and demands. We also place expectations on ourselves. We put ourselves under pressure thinking others have expectations of us. We feel that we're underproductive if we aren't busy.   We forget to stop and breathe.”

Wow! Then I read further down my notes to find, “We have to be careful with our busyness.   There's a tension in our busyness.   We have families, work, and life”.

Again, ‘wake-up call’ to me!

The challenge?

What is sacrificed when we become too busy?

Relationships?

Church on Sunday?

Bible study?

Prayer?

Rest?

How do we manage expectations? Our expectations and the expectations of others?

Philippians 1:1-11 especially verses 9 and 10, which reads, “And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ.” (NKJV)

Being discerning in what we agree to take on, plan out our day/week to intentionally include relationships, Bible study, and prayer.  Choose to commit to Sunday worship and praying with fellow Christians.

Reflect on where you are situated in your ‘to-do’ lists.  Do you need to give up something, and be more intentional in other areas of your life?