Its_Not_About_Productivity

Life just keeps on rushing by
day after day, month after
month, and I wonder if I am living
in a vital, living relationship with
You. Am I making a difference?
What do You see when You look
at me and my life? Am I settling
for less than You have in mind
for me? I know that what I long
for most is to hear Your voice
and know that You are leading
me and I am obeying You. It
doesn't have to be spectacular
or showy, but it needs to be
completely real.

Time is such a huge part of your existence, but do not forget that I

inhabit all of time and am not ruled by it. My ways and plans work out in very

different ways than would seem logical to you. From your perspective it would

seem that you should be at the pinnacle of your life. You have freedom from

the daily responsibility of raising children, you are healthy, you are

comfortable, you are loved, you are busy; yet there is that undercurrent that

something may be missing, at least in part. You long to have a greater sense

of My working through you even in the simplest things. Do not stifle that

longing but realize that you do not have the whole picture.

I am doing things that you cannot see with your physical eyes. Your life

has an effect that will not be confined or limited to a certain few years of

"productivity". I hate that word. Your life is not about what you can produce in

a certain number of years. It stretches into eternity and revolves around

relationships: first the one between you and Me, and then the ones you have

with your husband, family, friends, and strangers. Every time that you praise

Me from a thankful heart, the unseen world is shaken. Every effort to

understand and love someone I have put into your life reaches into their

soul and makes the path to Me easier for them. Every time that your heart

breaks for someone's sorrow or pain there is an unseen investment in My

kingdom for their benefit. Every prayer for the salvation and welfare of

those around you brings you closer to seeing the miracle of My goodness

and love poured out on them.

None of these things is dictated by time, place, or position. For as

long as you live, you will have the privileges of prayer, praise, kindness,

encouragement, and love. There is a kingdom to be built but not by

weapons of war. It will come into existence primarily as you give yourself to

the needs before you on a daily basis. Some days those needs will be

healing the sick, delivering the oppressed, or feeding the hungry, but on

other days the needs will be to go to work, speak with kindness, or give a

cup of cold water. Stay close to My heart so you can see people and their

needs with My eyes knowing that I long to pour out My blessings on them.

Then ask for all of these needs with the simple faith of a child trusting your

Father's kindness. Every act based on this reality will have a ripple effect

that you may see only dimly and at times, but My sight is never clouded.

Trust that My will can be accomplished even through the smallest of

circumstances and events when you walk in obedience and love. I do My

greatest work quietly.