“O you who bring good tidings to Zion, get up to the high mountain. O you who bring good tidings to Jerusalem, lift up your voice with strength, lift it up, be not afraid; say to the cities of Judah, Behold your God!” – Isaiah 40:9
For those of us who have achieved success in our vocations and are entering the Act 2 phase of our lives – there are new thresholds of glory for us to attain. Many have built businesses, had successful careers in finance or their chosen vocation accomplishing great things. You’ve fulfilled many purposes and plans for your life, yet the later glory can be greater than the former (Haggai 2:9).
In addition to now having more time to invest in family, volunteer activities and travel – there is yet more to build. Build what you may ask? God’s Kingdom.
As believers, a heart for the lost should be central to each of our mission statements for the next phase of our lives. Now, with more resources at our disposal to share (not only financial but with the abundance of wisdom and experience we have gained) we now have more to give than ever.
As we have just celebrated Labor Day and are moving into a new season, I would encourage each of us to reflect for a moment, on the new season of our lives that lies before us. As women of faith and generosity, I would suggest that the harvest field has never been riper, for wining souls to God’s Kingdom, and we as established women focused on living purposeful lives, have never been more equipped to move boldly into God’s mission field and accomplish great things for the Kingdom.
Me you might say. I may have resources, but not the boldness to share my faith. I may have experience, but with whom may I share it?
Amid our doubts and questions, God’s word assures us that the righteous are as bold as a lion (Proverbs 28:1).
What will it take then, for us as women of strength, experience and faith to take possession of all that the Lord has for us in this next season?
Prayer is always the best starting point for all our labors. Matthew 9:37, with Christ speaking to his disciples, says the harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few, so pray to the Lord of the harvest to force out and thrust laborers into His harvest.
I’d encourage us to pray in two areas.
First, for the Lord to bring daily opportunities to share Christ with others. Then, pray that Lord helps us to be vigilant, amidst the hustle and bustle of our daily routine, to notice who God places on the edges of your day – in the grocery store, in the hair salon – in those public places we visit day in and day out.
Last year while on vacation in Cape Cod, rather than touring one afternoon, my husband and I decided to enjoy the pool. A woman we had seen daily each afternoon at the pool, exchanged smiles with me, as we did each day. But, today, was different. It was just us and her, and the Lord placed a strong prompting on my heart, to speak with her and tell her about His love for her. As I began to speak with her in the pool, the Holy Spirit, kept nudging me repeatedly to share Christ’s love with her. As I moved in obedience (despite my reluctance to do so, and my doubts and my fears), God stepped in and moved mightily.
As I discovered, this woman, who had lost her husband and her mother, was more than primed to meet Christ. Her heart desperately needed Him. The Lord interrupted my plans and routine that day, with His plan – and His plan was much greater, and more beautiful than mine.
Second, let’s pray for sensitivity to His Spirit, as to how the Lord would use our individual gifts and talents to impact His Kingdom. Two years ago in my prayer time, the Lord placed it in my heart, to resurrect, a book that I had written, and have it published.
With one by one, simple steps of obedience, God presented a wonderful opportunity for me to publish my book, with Cru Press, as a ministry offering to the Lord.
The Lord gave me the vision, to make the book a two-edged sword. First, the book shares the gospel through my stories of how God faithfully drew me to Him, as a young professional, and has deepened my dependence on Him, through my corporate and entrepreneurial career. Second, all the proceeds from the book, and an accompanying donation page, will fund faith-based career day events, with high school students around the country.
I trust the outcome to the Lord with that which He has laid on my heart. Ours is not the responsibility for the outcome, but to act obediently to walk in the ways He calls us.
May this new season, be for you – just the beginning of the greater things God has in store for you – in using your resources and life experiences – to build God’s Kingdom. Indeed, as Isaiah 68:11 says: The women who proclaim the good news are a great host (army).
To learn more you can visit: https://crustore.org/product/god-of-my-everyday/
