3 Questions to Ask Ourselves When We Wonder if What We’re Doing Really Matters

Maybe it’s something about this time of year.

I seem to fall into a pattern in which all my days look similar. There’s nothing particularly exciting going on at the moment. It’s just the routine, the same ol‘ same ol‘.

I understand that this isn’t everyone’s story right now. Some of you may be in the midst of really tough circumstances. Others might be experiencing great victories.

But in the ebb and flow of life, I’m fairly certain we all hit spots where it doesn’t seem we’re accomplishing much. Maybe we’re not seeing spiritual growth in our lives. Perhaps a ministry or a career or homeschooling isn’t panning out like we thought it would. Could be that our days are just filled with taking care of little kids, going to appointments, or answering the office telephone.

As I thought about what we can learn from these times, I came up with three questions we can ask ourselves.

Am I choosing faithfulness?

“He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much…” ~Luke 16:10

“Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.” ~1 Corinthians 4:2

Faithfulness. It’s not a flashy, hip, exciting word. It’s just steady dedication and commitment.

But it’s important because the majority of life is not lived on the mountaintops. Mostly it’s going through the daily grind, and just choosing to be faithful. There’s no pumped-up soundtrack or big fanfare to push you on. It’s just doing what has to be done, doing the next thing.

Am I living with a spirit of gratitude?

“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” ~1 Thessalonians 5:18

In these seasons of ordinariness, it can be easy to compare. “Look at what she’s accomplishing.” “Well, if I had those advantages, I’d be getting ahead, too.”

But that verse above tells it’s God’s will for us to be thankful. In the mundane, the exciting, the challenging, and the just plain hard, we’re to give thanks.

“And let the peace of God rule in your hearts…and be ye thankful.” ~Colossians 3:15

Am I trusting God’s providence?

We are where He has placed us today. Yes, we’ve each made choices of our own. Yet ultimately, God is in control.

Life may not be as glamorous as we would like. We may be serving when we want to be served. It may look like piles of laundry, filing your taxes, or driving two kids to different sports practices.

While the following verse is used often, it’s still true. “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” ~Romans 8:28

Job asked about God, “Doth not he see my ways, and count all my steps?” [31:4] Isaiah says, “The Lord of hosts hath sworn, saying, Surely as I have thought, so shall it come to pass; and as I have purposed, so shall it stand:” [14:24]

Trusting God’s guidance in our lives involves a surrender to His will, even when it doesn’t match up with our plan. He is always working, whether we see it or not.

This is encouragement I need today. I hope it is for some of you, too. When we’re stuck in one of those days/weeks/months where the little that we’re doing doesn’t seem to matter, let’s remember to be faithful, be thankful, and trust God to use our efforts for His purposes.

“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.“ ~1 Corinthians 10:31

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