Accomplishing Much

I was surrounded by overachievers and goal masterminders.   It left me asking myself, “What have you accomplished?”

Regrettably, as I sat and pondered the question I couldn’t think of anything I felt I had done that would count as an accomplishment recently. 

I had spent the past week like so many others taking care of my husband, cooking meals, and walking my dog. Honestly, I had let some things go to just sit in my front porch swing because I felt worn out physically, emotionally and even a little spiritually.  

I had managed to be consistent in some things during my week. I had still spent time in God’s Word but I felt there wasn’t anything worth mentioning that could be described as an accomplishment. For someone who prided themselves on achieving goals, it troubled me. 

 I carried that question with me for days.  Then, I carried it into prayer. 

I went to God expecting to find I had somehow gotten off course and had become complacent. Surprisingly, that is not what I discovered at all. 

I settled down in the passage of scripture about the widow putting in her two mites. Not much by the world’s standards, but she gave all she had into the treasury.  Jesus had noticed her and pointed her out to his disciples. You can read the entire account in Mark 12: 41-44. 

After studying these verses, I caught myself asking God, “Then what? After she had given everything she had then what was left for her to do? What would have been left for her to “accomplish? What else was required of her after she had indeed given her all?”

Then, I heard the Lord whisper…

Stand. 

 

 

She would go home and then “Stand” on her completed work and His promise to her. She would continue to stand on her convictions that God would provide. Oh and sweet sister, she then Accomplished Much! 

So, I went back to that question,  “What had I accomplished this week?” I went knowing that I now had an answer. 

Yes, I had accomplished something after all.  This week I had indeed accomplished something of great importance. I had mustered up the courage “after I had done all to Stand.”

Stand in Faith.

Stand in Grace. 

Stand in Courage. 

Ephesians 6:13 (ESV) says it this way, “Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.”

If you are feeling a little like in recent days,  I pray this post encourages you.  If you are feeling a little like an underachiever surrounded by overachievers and it leaves you wondering if anything you are doing matters anymore.  Maybe you are feeling like you aren’t seeing any results from what you have already done so maybe it is time to just sit down and quit. 

Let me persuade you to join me in my Statement of Faith…

After I have done all I can do and still my situation hasn’t changed, I will still Stand for Jesus.

After I have given all I can give and feel I have nothing left to give, I will still Stand for Jesus.   

After I have done all I have been asked to do and still see no results, I will still Stand in faith and still serve Jesus. 

No, I may not have accomplished much by the world’s standards. But by God’s standards, I had accomplished much.

 

 

So if you are thinking you haven’t accomplished much, take another look.

Standing on God’s promises is accomplishing something. 

Standing and waiting on God is accomplishing something worth mentioning. 

And when we Stand for Jesus and have done all we can, we can trust that God will do all He can! 

When we have given all we have, God will give all He is. 

Standing never sounded so good. 

See you in the field, 

Susan

 

Ephesians 6:14 (The Message) 

Be prepared. 

You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it’s all over but the shouting you’ll still be on your feet.

Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You’ll need them throughout your life. 

God’s Word is an indispensable weapon.

In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. 

Keep your eyes open. Keep each other’s spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out.