Work

Work

I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do.

John 17:4, NIV

None of us is perfect, and no mom on earth will ever do a perfect job of mothering. But when you come to the end of your mothering days, will you feel that you have completed your tasks well? When Jesus was nearing the end of his time on earth, he didn’t have regrets; rather, he spoke with confidence about completing God’s work. What was God’s work for Jesus, and how can we be sure that we are completing God’s work in our mothering?

Jesus gave us a lifelong pattern to follow:

1. He pointed people to God. John 1:18 says, “No one has ever seen God. But his only Son, who is himself God, is near to the Father’s heart; he has told us about him.”
2. He modeled justice, mercy, and humility. Micah 6:8 states, “No, O people, the Lord has already told you what is good, and this is what he requires: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.”
3. He made disciples. He said, “Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:19-20).
4. He served through sacrifice. Philippians 2:5-8 says, “Your attitude should be the same that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not demand and cling to his rights as God. He made himself nothing; he took the humble position of a slave and appeared in human form. And in human form he obediently humbled himself even further by dying a criminal’s death on a cross.”

God,

Thank you that Jesus was willing to do your work so we can have a relationship with you. Please strengthen us to do the most important work of motherhood by pointing our children to you; modeling mercy, justice, and humility; discipling our kids; and serving through sacrifice. Amen.