The Battle for Significance

Several weeks ago my sons and I were at the kitchen table eating breakfast when Hayden, our 5 year old, dropped some crumbs on the floor by accident. Now, this kind of thing happens on a somewhat regular basis and is in no way out of the norm for those who have small children. But it was how he responded to his mess that still has me somewhat baffled. After Hayden dropped half of his toast on the floor {okay- I'm totally exaggerating here, but to a sleep deprived Mama it sure seemed like half of his toast}, he looked me straight in the eyes and said, "that's okay Mom. You can clean it up. Go get the vacuum cleaner out of the pantry." Again, somewhat baffled as to why he was talking to me in that manner, I asked him why I should be the one to clean up his mess? His response, "Well, that's just what Moms do, right?"

Is it?

Is that all Moms are for? To clean up after their husband and kids. Is that why I, Megan Card- a mother of 2, was created? Is that why I walk upon this earth?

No. No, it is not. That is not why I was created. That is not why God put me on this planet. I am not here to just clean up after their mess. I am not here to just rescue matchbox cars and legos out of the toilet. I am not here to just pick up their dirty clothes off of the floor thousands of times a day. I am not here to just teach them how to correctly use the potty. Or make them dinner. Or fold their laundry. Or read to them. Or give them kisses when they are hurting. Or tie their shoes. Or teach them how to be kind and compassionate to others. Or rejoice with them when they beat their Daddy at a game on the wii. Or keep them from causing physical harm to themselves or others when they come up with crazy hair-brained ideas out in the backyard. 

Yes, granted, it is part of my responsibility as a Mother during this particular life stage- to make sure that they grow up to be competent, functional members of society- but that's not all I do. However, I think that is exactly what Satan wants me to believe. That all I am good for- is to clean up after my family. It's a lie straight from the pit of hell and it is a lie that unfortunately, too many women believe. He wants me to believe that what I am doing, what many women do day in and day out all over the world, offers up no eternal significance whatsoever. And he almost succeeded in doing this. I almost fell for it. I almost believed him.

I too often forget that we are at war. Sometimes I fall into the mindset that Satan is merely out to ruin my day. To get me in a foul mood. Or distract me from having my quiet times or spend time with Jesus in prayer...

 Far from it.

 Satan wants to destroy me. And he wants to destroy you. 

In his letter to the church in Ephesus, Paul writes,

"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places."

The disciple John put it quite plainly in his Gospel when he quoted Jesus saying, "the thief {that would be Satan} comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I {Jesus} came that you may have life, and have it abundantly." There you have it, yolks. Satan's primary purpose is not to ruin your day; it's to destroy you. Obliterate you. 

And I think for me at least, Satan knows that I struggle with this battle for significance. He knows that if he can get me to believe that all I am good for in this great big world, is to just be a good wife and mother-to loose my identity in Christ-to forget why I was created- that that will be the key to my downfall and destruction. But I have a Savior who continually reminds me that I was created for something more. Something great! Something beyond compare. 

 I was created to know God and to enjoy Him forever.

We all were. 

From Genesis to Revelation, God is continually drawing you and I to Himself. He has gone through great lengths to enter into a relationship with you. He wants you. He loves you. He rejoices in spending time with you. He takes great delight in you. And it doesn't matter if you are a stay at home mom, a teacher, a musician, a sales associate in a local retail store, a checker at a grocery store, a CEO of a fortune 500 company or the President of the United States. You are significant. You have a purpose. You have a specific role to play in this great big world.

You matter- because you matter to God. 

Every day is a battle. But it's ultimately your choice who you are going to believe. 

What about you? Have you ever struggled with this? I'd love to hear from you!