THE ORDINATION OF MOTHERHOOD
Part 2

“Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfill it”
(Colossians 4:17).

3. GOD COMMISSIONED YOU FOR THIS CAREER

Motherhood is not an idle pastime. You are part of a mighty army in the home. In Psalm 68:11, 12 the psalmist talks about two armies—the men who go out to fight the battles to protect their homes, families, and their land. But it also talks about the army of women who dwell at home. Mothers who hold the home fort and build strong families. Mothers who proclaim the Word of truth. Mothers who prepare soldiers for the army. Mothers who divide the spoil and share the blessings.

Solomon 6:10 (NLT) is a picture of a mighty woman fulfilling her commission: “Who is this arising like the dawn, as fair as the moon, as bright as the sun, as majestic as an army with billowing banners?”

4. GOD WANTS YOU TO BE COMMITTED TO YOUR CAREER

You are not tossed about by each new trend in society. You are not moved by negative statements from family and friends. You are not moved when facing hardships or financial stress. You've counted the cost. Your heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord. You are unshakable. You are immoveable. You know you are in the perfect will of God. You know your purpose. You stand true to your convictions.

Your heart is like David’s heart: “My heart is fixed (established), O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise.” David repeats his confession again in Psalm 108:1.

When Nehemiah went back to Jerusalem to repair and build the gates of Jerusalem he faced continual persecution and ridicule. His enemies did everything in their power to thwart him from his great purpose. When they asked him to come down, he refused to stop his great work. Instead, he sent messengers to them, saying: "I AM DOING A GREAT WORK, SO THAT I CANNOT COME DOWN: why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you?" (Nehemiah 6:3). Make this your confession too.

Colossians 4:17 (MOFFAT): “Attend To the duty entrusted to you . . . and discharge it to the full.”

Colossians 3:12, 12 (JBP): “Whatever you do, PUT YOUR WHOLE HEART AND SOUL INTO IT, as unto work done for God, and not merely for men – knowing that your real reward, a heavenly one, will come from God, SINCE YOU ARE ACTUALLY EMPLOYED BY CHRIST.”

5. GOD WANTS YOU TO COMPLETE YOUR WORK

In this great work of mothering, we are committed to the end. Ecclesiastes 7:8 says: “Better is the end of a thing that the beginning thereof.” As children grow up, many mothers think they have come to the end of motherhood. They fling off their motherhood mantle and set out into the world for a new life. That’s not God’s plan. He doesn’t want us to stop half way through. He created us physically and innately to be mothers, and we are mothers to the end.

Jesus Himself gave us the example. He stated in John 4:34: “My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to FINISH his work.”

Jesus prayed in John 17:4: “I have glorified thee on the earth: I have FINISHED the work which thou gavest me to do.” We bring glory to God by finishing the task He gives us to do.

In biblical days the watchman watched over the cities to be aware of any enemy activity. The watches were divided into four times:

First watch: 6.00 pm – 9.00 pm.
Second watch: 9.00 pm – 12.00 pm midnight.
Third watch: 12.00 pm – 3.00 am.
Fourth watch: 3.00 am – 6.00 am.

No watchman was allowed to go to sleep on his watch. It was a very responsible assignment. Many people today use these times as prayer watches as they pray and watch for the enemy in this “night season.” However, I would like to relate them to our mothering seasons of life.

Next week we’ll begin with the FIRST WATCH.

Be blessed.

Nancy Campbell

PRAYER:

“Thank you, dear Father, for giving me this great career of motherhood. Thank You for the precious children You have entrusted to my care Help me to be faithful to the end. Amen.

AFFIRMATION:

I have the greatest job on earth and I’m in for the long haul!