The idea of a 4 word calling can feel anything but simple. Sometimes it seems easier to accept the idea of big, grand plans and purpose than to walk out your anything for God in small steps.
Big feels like a celebration; small feels, well, small.
Embracing the idea of a big calling feels like accepting a medal at the end of a marathon. It’s easy to see the prize without regard for the work that went into it. It’s easy to forget how you get to the finish line.
A marathon is won with thousands of ordinary, tiny steps. Click To TweetI don’t know about you, but the medal at the end sounds a lot better than ordinary, tiny steps. But here’s the part we overlook:
If we find joy in the medal, we have joy for a moment.
If we find joy in the steps, we have joy for the whole race.
I want bigger, longer, daily joy. And if that’s really what we long for we need to make peace with the ordinary, simple calling on our lives. Changing our perspective can change our days.
- Instead of looking to be the popular one with lots of friends, be a good friend to one.
- Instead of lamenting the messy house, thank God for your home.
- Instead of striving for bigger tomorrows, ask God how He wants to use you today.
- Instead of wishing for a better marriage, do something kind for your spouse.
- Instead of running endlessly to give your kids everything, stop and give them your presence.
It is in these simple pursuits that we will take joy filled steps day after day.
It is in these steps that we will move closer to Jesus.
It is in these simple steps that we will walk in our calling.
This is the final post in a series devoted to calling and purpose. You can find the other posts here:
Can My Calling Really Be That Simple
Are You Stuck Between Your Calling and Real Life?
Linking words at these great sites!
Literacy Musing Mondays, Purposeful Faith, Tea & Word Tuesday, Abounding Grace, Trekking Thru, Tell His Story, Porch Stories, Let’s Have Coffee, Worth Beyond Rubies, Tune in Thursday, Dance with Jesus, Fresh Market Friday, Faith ‘n Friends, Blogger Voices Network, Grace & Truth, Heart Encouragement, InstaEncouragements
Rebecca, hi! I love your emphasis in fully being present and grateful for where God has placed us. Even if it all seems a bit small or insignificant …
Thanks Linda — nothing is unimportant in His eyes!
Such a great post. I believe in the idea of taking baby steps. It gives you a chance to take in the view along the way, which is the same as being present for those around you. Blessings to you!
Yes! Baby steps are great (as much as I want to take great big leaps!)
More wisdom here, and I’m grateful for it.
I’ve said so many times that I am a destination person–not a journey person, and I really need to trust for grace to be fully present to each step of this race called “life.” Most of my regrets are connected with missed moments and rushing past the quotidian beauty.
Destinations are my happy place! But I’m learning, ever so slowly, to enjoy the journey!
This has been such a beautiful series of posts. I am so encouraged to really seek His calling in the simple things. And I am trying to practice being present and recognizing the gifts of the moment. It is too easy to get busy and forget it all. It takes mindfulness, The Lord is always with us and blesses us more than we know! We just need to be present and aware! Thank you for sharing!
God does long for us to be present and press into His truth!
It is so very true that many times it is in our perspective where we can make the choice to see the positive. I have definitely been learning more and more how to see the interwoven blessings and opportunities even in the midst of things that may not seem so great but even the small things can be big blessings if we choose to see them differently! It’s always good to be encouraged in this area! #instaencouragers linkup
Isn’t it funny how small things can have such a significant impact?! Blessings today!
I like this Rebecca, and I like the quote, “A marathon is won with thousands of ordinary, tiny steps.” It’s the truth, and timely for me, as I’m about to start marathon training, again. Pinned. Thanks for linking up at InstaEncouragements!
Woo hoo! I give you loads of credit! I am not a runner. Praying God meets you during every step of your training!
It’s all about re-framing things, isn’t it? And then acting on the new view. I try to list 5-10 things I’m grateful for every morning in my journal. Some mornings, it’s a list of birds I saw the day before–which goes to show that gratefulness and wonder over the smallest things can build a life-long habit of gratitude.
You are exactly right, Anita! We need to act on that new view!
Great thoughts on a hard topic. Finding joy in the simple everyday tasks. In my Bible study group we often say we are grateful for we have dishes when they need to be washed. I love when you said,
“If we find joy in the medal, we have joy for a moment. If we find joy in the steps, we have joy for the whole race.”
That really resonated with me, because running is not something I do, if I did I would hate every step, but I hope that those who go to all the training it takes to run a marathon enjoy every bit of it. Life may be hard and challenging, it is also beautiful and each one is special to God. Many Thanks 8)
You are absolutely right, Debra! It is a process to learn to love things like the dishes, but it is always worth it.
Of course, the phrase “A marathon is won with thousands of tiny, ordinary steps,” caught my eye! 🙂 I love your ideas for changing our perspectives. “Instead of striving for bigger tomorrows, ask God how He wants to use you today”. This one resonates with me. Great post!
I know! And I’m not even a runner! LOL So glad God is so gracious with us in the process!
This is so encouraging, Rebecca. I needed the reminder to take joy in the ordinary, tiny steps. Changing our perspective truly does make a difference. 🙂 Thank you! Love and blessings to you!
I am so glad you were encouraged!
Yes, little steps are so important! Even if they don’t feel like much they do add up to something significant over time and, as you say, we often find joy along the way.
They do add up. Plus, the journey is far more beautiful when we are looking at Him.
“If we find joy in the medal, we have joy for a moment. If we find joy in the steps, we have joy for the whole race.” How true Rebecca. Thank you for sharing these truths. I love this series. Blessings!
I’m so glad you’ve enjoyed the series!
Rebecca, I loved this post. All things—whether great or small—are only accomplished one sometimes small step at a time. As long as we’re in the center of God’s will, we’re right where we need to be. I’m learning to be content in the small places in my life, to be okay with not being a well-known anything. Thanks for sharing your wisdom here.
It is a game changer, isn’t it?! I first considered the idea when I ready “Anything” by Jennie Allen.
Our Ladies Bible Study is doing the book of Philippians and the Apostle Paul certainly reiterates over and over again to find joy and REJOICE! It’s not an easy thing to do, but Paul definitely could speak with authority because he learned to be content in ALL circumstances, most of them not “joyful”.
I like your insight here:
If we find joy in the medal, we have joy for a moment.
If we find joy in the steps, we have joy for the whole race.
Great encouragement. Thanks for sharing
I have always loved Philippians! Joy doesn’t always come naturally for me, so the encouragement is so valuable!
Rebecca, I absolutely love this tweet message…”A marathon is won in thousands of ordinary, tiny steps.” We so often don’t see the value of our calling until we show up and put intention behind our steps. Your post was a super way for me to start my day this morning!
Yay! I’m so glad to hear it blessed your morning!
I think you are me in a younger version of myself.
It’s an honor 🙂
So true Becky. I’ve been thinking about this lately and you bring clarity to it (simply!)
Isn’t it great when we can make things simple?!