A Mother's Purpose
- Cathrine Schmelzer
- Jun 7, 2024
- 3 min read
“No matter what your calling or purpose, God can use the smallest acts of obedience for His kingdom.”
“When she could hide him no longer, she took for him a basket made of bulrushes and daubed it with bitumen and pitch. She put the child in it and placed it among the reeds by the river bank.” Exodus 2:3
All of us have callings and purposes on our lives. Some are bigger than others, some are more obvious than others. But some are as simple as raising your little ones to follow Jesus. Maybe that’s your whole purpose, and as small as it may sound, it’s still so important.
No matter what your calling or purpose, God can use the smallest acts of obedience for His kingdom. Our obedience increases the kingdom and also blesses us.
Let’s look at Jochebed’s story. She was the mother of Moses who, if you’re not familiar with the story, led the Israelites out of slavery and acted as a mediator between God and His people. He was kind of a big deal. When Moses was born, the pharaoh of Egypt was terrified of the Isrealites and had ordered all the boys to be killed so they couldn’t fight against him.
Enter Jochebed, with her love for her baby boy that was stronger than the fear of getting caught. She, along with her daughter, saved Moses by putting him in a basket and floating him down the river. The story goes on to say that Moses was found by the daughter of the pharaoh and, Moses’ sister, who was waiting nearby, fearlessly suggested to the daughter of the pharaoh that Jochebed could be his nurse.
Jochebed got PAID to take care of her OWN BABY that she saved from being murdered. The Bible doesn’t say that God told her to save him or put that calling in her heart, but my guess is that her obedience and fearlessness were being blessed and rewarded. She had no way of knowing what Moses was going to grow up to do, but her love and faith were strong. If she hadn’t saved Him, Moses’ story, and maybe even the Israelites story, would have been much different.
When we listen to those little whispers from God, those callings that He puts in our hearts, and we react with obedience, God uses those acts for His kingdom and rewards us for that obedience.
Action Steps:
For deeper study, read Exodus 2:1-10
Reflect: Are you being obedient? Have you missed something God has called you to? Ask Him to show you where you need to be obedient, then listen to what He says.
Just for fun, what have you already done in obedience that furthered God’s kingdom? How has it affected your life? Your family's lives? Others around you or in your community?
Prayer: Thank You God, for blessing my obedience. I want to do what You’ve called me to, speak to me today and open my ears to hear. Show me the steps to take and give me the confidence to be obedient, knowing that You are with me every step of the way. I love You. In Your name I pray, amen.
Written by Cathrine, mom of 4