Do you ever wonder why you are living at this exact time in history or in this exact place? Well, what we know without a doubt is that in God’s kingdom, nothing is ever random or by chance.
If we accept God’s infinite wisdom that we are meant to be here now and to do good works now, why are so many Christians living in a complacent, comfortable existence doing their life as they have always done regardless of God’s word drilling down in their souls to not merely listen but to harken and do.
One of the many scriptures to clearly command us, not as a suggestion, but as a command as to what He expects for all of us, is found in Ephesians 2:10:
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
Regardless of one’s age, physical ability, or financial status, if you are still here on this side of heaven, God has destined more for you for a specific purpose, an assignment that only you can fulfill.
Common Obstacles
However, these are the major and very common obstacles to fulling our divine assignments:
Strongholds
Strongholds are attitudes, thoughts, mindsets that are contrary to the word of God for our lives (2nd Corinthians 10:3-6). Examples: “I am too old to volunteer. Since I am retired, I deserve to sit back and let others do the volunteer work. I have nothing to offer, how can God use me?” Or one of the most powerful weapons of the enemy’s schemes to fool us believing that our works is to work in my four and no more (more about this another post).
Allowing insecurity to rule
I learned years ago that my own insecurities manifested in my thinking: “I am not good enough, what will others think if I step out to be a servant to a need, what if I fail, etc., why me not someone else to take this risk?” A wise mentor told me I was being self-centered and self-absorbed, by obsessing over my hang ups to override the vast needs of His Kingdom.
Comfort Addictions
We all have them to some degree—like having our coffee, controlling our daily schedules, our favorite foods etc. But when do our comfort requirements block what God is calling us to do? Getting up an hour earlier (…gasp!) for a quiet devotional time? Actually listening to receive what is being announced at your church or in your neighborhood or in your community for needed volunteers?
Are you doing your homework?
I know, this is hard to process for all of us. When I am talking to myself, I often say: “Enough Mitzi, no more giving up your time for these needs.” I remember my late mom, Ellen Garrett. Up until she was almost 90, she served meals weekly at the Salem Community Center—along with myriad other volunteer commitments. She was richly blessed by giving of her time and comforts.
Remember the parable of the talents when Jesus asked, “What did you do with what I gave you?”
It is never ever too late to be a doer of the word as James 2:17 tells us that faith without works is dead. But the upside to doing Kingdom work is the reward of serving strictly out of love. Our dear Lord is glorified, and He sees all we do for Him.
2025 is still young and a beautiful new opportunity to be all that we are called to be by understanding we are here at this specific time, in this specific place, for a specific purpose. Our abundant life of blessings awaits us as we step out to hear and do our assignments casting down any strongholds that rationalize excuses of age, finances, or our health status.
Oh, what a beautiful life awaits all of us! Let’s go for it all by leaving nothing to chance but choose to be all that He wants us to be. To you, my lovely new group connections, listen, harken, and do your specific Heaven’s Homework.
Without a doubt, as we enter heaven, we all want to hear Jesus say to us, “well done my good and faithful servant.”
Mitzi Beach is an award-winning interior designer, author, and 50+ demographic marketing & lifestyle specialist. She is the author of Design Smarts, Inspiration for Home + Life. Presently, Mitzi is honing her passion for empowering women through weekly blog posts, staying current on all topics related to aging gracefully for the 50+, as well as a bit of design consulting! Because she has no intention of retiring completely, there are other exciting projects in the works that she looks forward to sharing.
For more information visit https://mitzibeach.com
Always important to revisit what our divine assignment is. I encourage people to function in their gifts, but that doesn’t mean staying in our comfort zone. Thanks for the reminder.
You are spot on Lauren!
What if our Lord has something for us to do but we stay comfortable using our gifts in places we have been perhaps too long. ” Listening louder” to His voice can be life changing. Thx for commenting.
Convicted.
I would love to hear how you do your heaven’s homework 💙
I observed several of my Christian friends as they started retirement. My husband and I have agreed that “there is no retirement in Jesus” and we have found ourselves actively mentoring younger women in recovery from hurts, hang-up’s, trauma and co-dependency. We have several individuals in our lives and have seen amazing growth. Our “lessons learned” and years of knowing Jesus allows us to come along others – not to fix them but to explore with them how they want to change, etc. Many are in Celebrate Recovery and this is a perfect place to be. We have seen that this younger generation have had many broken family relationships and not healthy families even in the Christian home. To guide them and coach them towards healing is so amazing – they are hungry for relationships with us! We also volunteer with the youth, making meals, coordinating work crews for community projects. We have a church that calls out all of us to “live in view of eternity” regardless of our age or stage of life and they provide MANY opportunities to do so. God promises that we will have purpose; that we are running a race. Feeling so fulfilled!
So true Mitzi! This is your Israel trip friend Sunshine! ( Vicki) I can certainly serve more. Thank you for the reminder.
I absolutely LOVE this blog! Mitzi-you know exactly what to say with the perfect words to touch our hearts! Thank you!!!
Amen, Mitzi! My homework is speaking to individuals and groups about eliminating the physical, digital, emotional and spiritual clutter that derails dreams and prevents them from accomplishing their work and enjoying their lives!
Thank you, Mitzi! It may sound weird, but I think of death and heaven almost daily and NOT in a depressed or melancholy way….instead, always asking God to help me rise above myself and get busy and keep using the gifts and talents he’s given me. My problem is that I have my hand in TOO MANY things and at this point in my life, I need to narrow it down in order to be my best for him.
As fairly recent empty nesters, both my husband and I are in the same boat, THANK YOU for the encouraging words!!!!