Dear Younger Me (The One You Work For)
Dear Younger Me,
In the different jobs you will hold as you grow up, learn to serve God through them. The tasks you will be assigned to do may not always be your favorite, and you may not always be the best at them either. I hope you’ll learn that complaining about them doesn’t help you. More than that, I hope you will learn to not be short-sighted as you do your work, only keeping your eyes on your job, but that you will be far-sighted as you look to the One you work for. When you look at Him, and you see the work you do through that lens, I hope your attitude toward work will begin to shift. You’ll wake up ready to accomplish God’s work instead of waking up to check all the things off your to-do list. Because waking up for a to-do list is not always going to be exciting, and maybe sometimes it’ll simply be overwhelming and exhausting. You’ll come across some boring tasks and things you’d simply rather not do because they don’t excite you, but as you glorify God in your work you can glorify Him even in those things.
Colossians 3:23-24 says, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” What a pair of verses to remind you it’s God who you work for, and that as your eyes are on Him, requiring the praise of your boss to feel like you’ve done a good job no longer matters, and that even if you really don’t love your work every day, joy is found in work done for God.
Love,
Megan
Sometimes we do the bare minimum. You’re pressed for time, so you only grab basic grocery items on your run to the store. Academic activities and extra curriculars are in full swing, and it’s all you can do just to get dinner on the table and the kids’ homework done. Your plate is full at work, so you whip out a barebones report and move on to the next thing.
I do the same. There are moments we must prioritize and, unfortunately, cut corners accordingly or decide which ball can afford to be dropped. Life is crazy that way and we aren’t perfect.
But God is. How thankful I am that He doesn’t do the bare minimum, never cuts corners, and refuses to let the ball drop!
Have you ever thought about that? God does not hold back His rich kindness toward us in Christ. He saved us from our sins for eternity but didn’t stop there.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places. – Ephesians 1:3, ESV
As I read this passage, I am overwhelmed by what God has done and will do for us. “He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world” (verse 4). “He predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ” (5). He lavished upon us “redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace” (7). He revealed to us “the mystery of His will” (8). He provided our inheritance (11). He sealed us with “the promised Holy Spirit” (13). And that is just the start.
Can you and I even begin to comprehend the breadth, length, height, and depth of the love of Christ and fullness of God (Ephesians 3:18)? What a marvelous mystery!
I was recently reminded of the story of Mephibosheth. I didn’t see it before, but it’s speaking to my heart now: his story is ours too.
He was a crippled man, the only survivor of the formerly royal family, whose grandfather had ruled the land. Now Mephibosheth lived in hiding because he was considered an enemy of the new king, David.
So David summoned Mephibosheth. This poor man probably feared for his life until the monumental moment David spoke his name—with respect and affection. He quickly bestowed upon him pastures, servants, and a seat at his table, to dine with royalty all the days of his life and be treated as one of King David’s own sons. When Mephibosheth stood before the throne, David saw not an enemy, but a friend—his dear friend Jonathan (Mephibosheth’s father) to whom he had made a promise to preserve his family line.
He delivered on that promise and then went even further.
God’s Provision: Astonishingly, God does that with us. While we were crippled in sin and enemies to God, He sent His Son to save us. Now when we stand before Him, He sees not an enemy, but His Son, whom He loves and with whom He is well pleased. He delivered on His promise and then went further, and further again. Our gracious Father has truly given us all He has and is.
Word of the Week: Extravagant. The love of God has been termed reckless because it goes beyond all bounds and norms. I think He can also be considered extravagant—abundant, generous, lavish, unrestrained. In other words, above and beyond.
Abby
Dear Younger Me,
Heaven isn’t Chuck-E-Cheese. Remember how cool it was when Mom took you there, but you could never earn enough tickets to get the coolest prizes. Heaven doesn’t have a point system, no ticket count to earn your way there. You might ask God what else you need to do for Him to say, “Well done,” but it isn’t God’s desire for you to cross items off a checklist or perform your way to glory. Because, your effort would never be enough. And it’s not about your effort, or trying harder. Your God wants you to love Him. To serve Him. And He wants you to know He already loves you. So love Him. Love His people. There’s no more pressure to score enough points for His good grace. Get it in your head that your God loves you not for your attempts at perfection, but because He simply loves you.
Love,
Megan
Most people value family tremendously. If you ask what they love most, consider most important, or find most satisfaction in, family is usually the response. It’s not so much cliché as it is beautiful. That’s the way God made it!
My family means the world to me, as I’m sure yours does to you. Our families are our lives. We cherish childhood years, tussle with siblings, resist parents’ instruction, dream about starting our own families someday, meet someone, get married, have our own children, raise them, find ourselves following our own parents’ example, send them off, welcome their spouses into our families, delight as they grow, pamper grandchildren … and so goes the cycle.
The family unit itself is divine. God instituted it at creation as an image of Himself, commanding the first man and woman to “be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth” (Genesis 1:28, ESV). So Adam and Eve did, and we’ve been doing so ever since.
Maybe you’re smiling right now. Your heart is warmed as you think of precious children and grandchildren. Your mind is flooded with memories; your home is peppered with pictures and paraphernalia of the good times you’ve shared.
Perhaps also you feel a twinge of pain, even deep sorrow, at the disappointment, loss, brokenness, and struggle endured over the years. Your family isn’t exactly what you dreamed. Your home isn’t perfect the way you envisioned. You’ve made mistakes along the way, and so have I.
What brings me the most comfort and hope is that our God is a family God. He breathes life into being, sustains existence, guides our paths, and blesses our endeavors. Most of all, beyond our individual family structures, He receives us into His holy family.
It’s a kind of homesickness we feel—gratefully content to be here with our beloved families now, missing those who have passed on, waiting to follow the same course, where we will all be united again in Christ.
It is God who has rescued us from the utter hopelessness of life apart from Him. It is God who planted our feet on solid ground and gave us a reason to live. He is our Father! Every good gift comes from Him (James 1:17). He made all things, and in Him all things hold together (Colossians 1:16-17).
God’s Provision: Far more than being members of our earthly families, we are adopted into God’s spiritual family, grafted into His lineage of grace, participants in His church, the body of Christ. Friend, if you are not a part of this family but long to be, come. Christ paid your debt and is preparing a room for you.
For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
– Ephesians 3:14-19, ESV
Word of the Week: Home. The word brings peace to my soul. Our home is in heaven. Our permanent place of residence, where we belong, is with God, our Father, Creator, and Redeemer, for all eternity.
Abby
What sort of life do you live? I mean, how would you describe it?
Perhaps you love being busy, and a full schedule is your best way to function. You run around with the kids, involve yourself with ministries and activities, and are constantly on the move.
Or you’re the quieter type who doesn’t mind being at home. You have hobbies and friends but prefer a simple agenda and laid-back approach.
Maybe, too, you’re somewhere in between, being carried by the ebb and flow of life’s seasons. You adjust fluidly to change and embrace the next thing with open hands.
Whatever sort of life you lead, it’s unique to you. No matter if you’re a parent, employee, member of a board or council, neighbor, leader, student, friend, or professional—wherever you are and whatever you do is an assignment God gave to just you. It’s your opportunity to worship Him.
In doing so, we come to know Him deeper and have the privilege of making Him known to other people.
Sometimes we think—at least, I do—that a call from God is grandiose, moving, even overwhelming. We sense the stir in our inner being and respond with drastic life changes. It certainly can be that way.
But not always.
For every life committed to Christ, God reserves a duty. He calls us with purpose and saves us with intention, drawing us to obey Him in the various ways He arranges.
I have always read in the Bible about the diversity of the body of Christ and the uniqueness of each of God’s children. But not until recently have I begun to recognize and participate in the ongoing, communal effort to build God’s Kingdom and exalt His name.
I am greatly encouraged by this because I often feel insignificant. Maybe you do too. In the big picture, are we actually accomplishing anything? Do our everyday offerings of hard work and sacrifice affect anything?
Yes. Yes, they do. A lot.
It is the faithful life that merits great reward. And God has graciously given us His Word to daily guide our lives. What pleases the Lord? That which is done in secret for His glory, an honorable life, the ways of righteousness.
Simply living for Him where we are is His call for us. The Lord can do whatever seems right to Him with our lives when we devote ourselves to Him and seek His will. We trust in His mighty, merciful hand that is always working on our behalf.
God’s Provision: God gives us Himself! He is perfectly sufficient to provide every necessity and dispel every doubt. “The fear of the LORD,” Proverbs 1:7 tells us, “is the beginning of knowledge.” But “fools despise wisdom and instruction” (ESV). Paying attention to Him produces joyful obedience and establishes genuine purpose for our lives.
Word of the Week: Clay. I love the image of gentle hands molding the course of our lives to suit His purpose for us. Nothing in God’s hands is neither purposeless nor wasted. What an invigorating way to live!
But now, O LORD, you are our Father;
we are the clay, and you are our potter;
we are all the work of your hand.
– Isaiah 64:8, ESV
May you and I walk in the clarity and confidence of God’s holy purpose.
Abby
Dear Younger Me,
Overanalyzing is a weakness, but oh, what you can do when you use your gift of analyzing as a strength! You’ll be teased at how much you overanalyze, and you’ll also be mad at yourself for it, but you’re going to be in awe when you finally find yourself in a position where your gift of analysis really does help to make things better. Grow in that gift, along with the discretion of when to be analytical and when not to be.
And some day, girl, you’re going to be able to own with more confidence that this is a gift. People will ask you what your strengths are, and you might feel wishy-washy as you struggle to give an answer about how God has gifted you (because your confidence is lacking), but I can’t wait for you to see this in yourself someday.
Love,
Megan
I don’t have to be the one to tell you that the world we live in is crazy! People harm one another, governments mislead nations, countries fight against one another. Even in our daily lives, we are assailed by society’s negative influences.
There is a lot going on. Not only do we navigate the complications of our own lives but additionally bear others’ burdens, whether close friends down the road or refugees in another hemisphere. We have constant access to information within our neighborhoods and across the globe.
How do we live? What do we do? A natural response plunges us into anxiety, fear, and irrational thinking. But in Christ, we have supernatural peace!
That’s what I’ve been dwelling on lately. There is so much to consider, navigate, address … it can quickly become burdensome. But God remains on His throne—and He’s not going anywhere.
Our Master is so powerful! Our Creator is so majestic! Our Father is so loving! He is the one in control of all things, and He cares for us. What an immense comfort to the Christian.
Knowing that God is all-powerful, all-knowing, and perfectly holy is a fearful thing; He could strike us all down and wipe us all out—as our sin would deserve.
But instead, He so loved the world that He gave His only Son. And now, covered in the sacrifice of our Savior and bathed in the love of our Maker, we are secure in His mighty hands. The same arm that extends punishment to the wicked reaches out to protect the humble who call upon Him.
For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” – Romans 10:13
We certainly fear His greatness, though He repeatedly assures us to not be afraid. Our guilt is taken away and our sin atoned for (Isaiah 6:7). You and I no longer stand condemned but righteous. Clean, preserved, and welcome in the presence of Almighty God.
Amidst the turmoil of current events, our peace comes from God. Our hope comes from His promise to us. Our confidence comes from Christ’s life given for us.
Praise God for His consideration of us! Blessed be His name because He is God! And we are His people, the sheep of his pasture (Psalm 100:3).
God’s Provision: His promises! When we believe God, His Word comes alive to us. I’m only beginning to experience the depth of joyful anticipation, as I trust you already have! God never goes back on His word, changes His mind, or fails to complete what He sets in motion. Everything He has ever covenanted or decreed will absolutely come to pass according to His flawless assignment and timing.
Word of the Week: Hope. We are people of yearning and expectation because we know what awaits! Without a doubt, despite unsuccessful opposition, God’s eternal plan will unfold in completion. Nothing stands in His way. Our focus is on the Kingdom of Heaven, and that brings a smile to our face, a skip to our step, a leap to our heart, and a peace to our life.
May you know that peace today!
Abby
Dear Younger Me,
As much as you need to give grace to yourself and as much as you wish for others to give you grace, you have to be willing to give it to others. There will be seasons that will test your patience with others, and the tension is simply inevitable. You will have to learn through hurt feelings and frustration to extend to others the empathy that is very much a part of who you are. And while empathy does characterize who you are, it is also a choice you have to make to be empathetic when you would rather not be.
It is said that when you struggle to forgive, that you should remember how much God has forgiven you. Similarly, when you struggle to be gracious, remember God’s graciousness with you.
And when you feel the tension, ask yourself, “How can I glorify God?” When you see the situation through His eyes, you can move forward with His strength and His grace.
It’s not easy when you want it your way. But what a work God is doing in you to grow you in grace.
Love,
Megan
You inspire me.
Your lot in life, the work you do for the Lord, and the Christlike qualities present in your character all strengthen and encourage me in my own duties. We each have a responsibility, a story, a testimony. And we all need each other.
I smile to think God made it that way. He told us, “For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ … For the body does not consist of one member but of many” (1 Corinthians 12:12&14, ESV).
And now we are “the body of Christ and individually members of it” (12:27)! Man was never meant to be alone, and praise God, we don’t have to be!
But even more than a congregation of believers in the present, we are a part of an eternal entity, the universal church of Christ. We are adopted into the family of God, made into spiritual offspring of Abraham. It blows my mind to think the Old Testament saints paved the way for you and me.
Men and women of the Bible, like Samson, Sarah, and countless others, walked by faith (rather than sight) as temporary exiles on this earth, awaiting the fulfilling of the promise God gave them, trusting He would bring about the completion.
They inspire me.
Recently, some books and sermons have encouraged my heart greatly. The words of authors and speakers bring Biblical characters to life and help me appreciate their commendable faith amidst their glaring flaws.
It gives me so much hope because they are hardly any better than you and I. They struggled with weakness, selfishness, doubt, insecurity, loneliness, heartache, impulsiveness, and pride. They made plenty of mistakes, questioned God, suffered the consequences of their sins, and misrepresented the Lord in their moments of failing.
But He never left them nor forsook them. It was never the strength of the person that carried them, but the power and grace of God. He always lifted them up, disciplined them in love, and turned them again toward His face and His work.
And He does the same for us!
Most times I forget that my favorite Bible stories are real. The figures I admire were real people with real thoughts, real feelings, real families—and real faith. They lived life. The Scripture just doesn’t give us every single miniscule detail because then it’d be a million pages long and not serve God’s purpose.
Maybe you can relate.
God’s Provision: Our reassurance is that God, in His infinite wisdom, compiled the books of His Word for our instruction and edification. Nothing is left out that is necessary for salvation. God simply gave us the gift of knowledge to teach, empower, and encourage His beloved children.
Word of the Week: Lineage. Like a family tree. God has grafted us into His lineage of faith, along with our historical fathers and ancestors and our spiritual brothers and sisters—believers of all time and age.
That fills my heart with joy, honor, excitement, and gratitude! Such a realization motivates me to live for the Lord and absorb every iota of His Word. I hope it does the same for you.
Abby
Dear Younger Me,
Sing for Him. It’s tempting to want to use your God-given voice to impress others, but it doesn’t matter how beautiful you can sing if you’re not singing to Him and for Him. God wants your praise, not your performance. Your human nature tells you that you need to be the best at everything, but in the presence of God, who is perfect, your hope that others will be wowed by you is silly.
And it’s not just singing. God gave you your talents to honor and glorify Him, not yourself. In the hymn “Be Thou My Vision,” remember the words, “Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise. Thou mine inheritance now and always.” Because at the end of your life, it’s not going to matter how many people thought you were awesome. In the presence of God, all that will matter is if He sees Jesus in you.
And think, how much more joy you could have as you sing or as you do what you do when you know you are doing it all for the glory of the One on high!
Love,
Megan
