Light a Match!

Ladies:

Your busy aren't you. The day drags on and you are exhausted at the end. Your husband walks in the door and you want to unload on Him because you want somebody to know all you did today. What have you have been doing all day? Does it feel like you ran in circles and ended up in the same place? Another day of cooking, cleaning, grocery shopping, shuttling kids to and from school, activities, play dates, etc. Does any of this really matter! I would like to say yes, but you will have to light a match to it and see what happens.

In my recent study of scripture I found one of the most pivotal verses on how I should be spending my time. 1 Corinthians 3:9-15 (for those who want more read the context around the verse)
each one must be careful how he builds. For no one can lay any foundation other than what is being laid, which is Jesus Christ. If anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, or straw, each builder’s work will be plainly seen, for the Day will make it clear, because it will be revealed by fire. And the fire will test what kind of work each has done. If what someone has built survives, he will receive a reward. If someone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss. He himself will be saved, but only as through fire.

It appears that what we do will be tested by fire. If our actions are left standing they will be found worthy of reward, but if they burn they will be counted as worthless deeds and wasted time. The Lord has shown me that the deed is not what is in question, it is my heart's motive that will be judged. If I wash the laundry and match the socks with a grumbling and negative spirit it won't count. BUT if I chose to have a heart of love for my family and joy that I can provide clean clothes for them the Lord will see this with favor. It really is simple but as women we tend to complicate even the simplest task!

If we apply this to marriage we all could relate to a need to test our "heart motive". Are we encouraging and building up our husbands to get something from them or out of a true honor and love for them? Are we caring for our house out of love and devotion to the man we share the roof with or are we bitter housewives angry that we have been given the menial task of the house? Women are the best manipulators I know, we have a lot of power with our words and actions in the home. I challenge you to test your heart's motive before you speak or do anything in your marriage.

The best part of this verse is a simple statement about the foundation...Jesus Christ. We will stay standing as long as we have chosen Jesus as our foundation(savior). What is past is impossible to change but what is present and future are yours to participate in if you want to make an eternal impact. Test your choices, test your heart's motive by lighting a match and seeing if it burns.

Joyfully!
Annie