“Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” 1 Corinthians 15:58 (ESV)
But I Just Need to Get Away!
The van was calling my name. The walls of my house were closing in and my to-do list was continually lengthening…not shortening. I just wanted to run away from it all.
Have you ever felt like this? If you could jump in the car and go…you could escape the heaviness of what is staring you in the face: the crying littles, the laundry, the mouthy teenager, the loud music, the demands of wifehood, the endless job of cooking, and even the after-hour pressures from the workplace.
A wise woman stays.
Staying is hard sometimes, but Scripture tells us that, when we are steadfast, when we stay and make efforts as unto the Lord, our labor is not in vain! It doesn’t just benefit us. Our tired feet and backs yield fruit, beautiful fruit. The days we want to run, but instead stay and follow through, they yield fruit.
Staying is a discipline. It is a way of life that we can train in ourselves. If we have a tendency to run (by physically leaving or checking out mentally) when the going gets tough, God gives us the ability to stay.
Hebrews 12:11 (ESV) tells us, “For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.” Isn’t that true? Staying isn’t always the pleasant choice, but it’s the fruitful choice. It’s the choice that gives our children a sense of safety, knowing we are here when they cry. It’s the choice that tells our husbands we are devoted, even when it is hard. Staying tells our teenagers we are for them, even when we don’t see eye to eye and they are making bad choices.
Staying, steadfastness, doing it all because we love Jesus, makes it all worthwhile.
Blessings and Love,
Katie
Go Deeper:
- If you know you’re a runner but you want to be steadfast and stay, ask the Lord to give you the courage to do so. If life is often overwhelming you, make sure you haven’t taken on too many extra burdens. Start by looking at your calendar. Look to see if you can let just one thing go. Maybe you can say no to the extra playdate this week, or the favor a friend asked of you. “No” is scary sometimes, but sometimes it is the right kind of scary.
What’s Next?
This week, maybe you need to carve out intentional time to rest, refresh, and revive your reason for staying. Take a walk, a bath, or even go somewhere, but do it intentionally and not with a heart of running. Remember that your goal is steadfastness that yields fruit—a strong marriage, healthy children, and even trustworthiness as an employee. Remember that God’s Word is full of encouragement for the weary. God can and will give you courage and strength. Rest in Him by reading His Word and talking to Him in prayer; and He will answer you, providing you with joy and strength in motherhood, wifehood, and all the other hats you wear.
Intentionality has been a motivator throughout motherhood, schooling my children, blogging and in my marriage. I love beauty, as it points me to my Savior, a great cup of coffee and time with family and friends.
I love 1 Corinthians 15:58 “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” It reminds me in the mundane and hard places that God is with me and what I am doing is NOT in vain.
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2 Comments on “But I Just Need to Get Away!”
Thank you. Read this at the perfect time today 🙂
I am so glad it was good timing for you today! Praying for you to be steadfast ❤️