As we explore the mission of God in the book of Jonah, we have asked some lay leaders from the Ridder Leadership Initiative to share their reflections. They were each given two questions to consider: Where do you see God present and at work around you? And how are you joining in on God's mission?
Below are reflections from Kelly Slager, a Care Leadership Elder, new mom and faithful servant:
When I was asked to think about the questions, "Where do I see God at work in my life?" I immediately thought that it had to be some big earth-shattering situation that is happening right now. Although I have had earth-shattering things happen in the past, that is not what is going on right now. I know that God is at work. He always is. But it took some more time for me to see it. I am very grateful for this opportunity. I realized how easy it is to overlook the "little" things that God is doing.
I feel that currently in my life God is "pruning" and reshaping me with people and circumstances he has put in my life. For instance, God is making me be completely dependent on Him with what I accomplish each day. I typically have a to-do list that is way too long and impossible to accomplish. God has been helping me prioritize my activities. When I pray throughout the day I can see His hand in it. It's when I think I can do it all on my own and without His help or direction that I get stressed out and nothing gets done. God is using my wonderful husband and beautiful girl to help me prioritize my life as well. God is first, time with them is second, and all else behind that.
In the past I have struggled with abuse, unemployment and financial issues in our family and currently with managing life with a new baby. It's during these times that I can really see God at work. God has not only used these struggles to re-shape me but also to help others. It always amazes me when people who may not know of my past approach me to talk about their similar struggles! What may seem like a random conversation to other people is really God's hand at work all along. He can use anything for His purpose. God has used our unemployment and financial struggles to make us completeley dependent on Him. He has always given us what we need at the time we need it. He is using these times to teach us to be good stewards with our money. Without these struggles I don't think we would be learning these lessons.
How am I joining God in His mission? Again, nothing earth-shattering. With God's help I am trying to allow God to mold me into the person He wants me to be. I try to make the most of every opportunity. I try to give my best to God, to Mike [husband] and Eden [daughter], and at work. I am open to others who need to talk. I work with a lot of younger adults and most are not Christians. Most know that I am and I try my best to lead them with integrity and be a good example of Christ to them. I try to give Mike and Eden my best, not my leftovers. I have found that God speaks most to me through others, or maybe that's when I hear him best :-). I try to be open to the Holy Spirit and what He is asking me to do. I know God is at work because I'm constantly being stretched outside my comfort zone (like right now by writing this!). Making time for God is vital in all of this.
May these reflections be a blessing to each of us and an encouragement to look for God not only among the "earth-shattering" events of life, but also among the ordinary.