Housework and Holiness
Life is full of hard things. Different things are hard for different people. One of my hard things is housework. I had a friend who could not rest until her house was clean. A great morning in the house alone for her would include rubber gloves, strong cleansers, and lots of scrubbing. For me, it would be sitting in my garden, watching butterflies and pulling a few weeks. Or, I might listen to classical music while eating something decadent, smiling because I don’t have to share with anyone.
I have struggled with housework most of my adult life. There was a period of time when I had a cleaning schedule and stuck to it, but it was, sadly, a short-lived experience. Lately I seem to be hurrying to clean the most obvious messes just when I know someone is making their way to my house.
I read an excerpt from Elisabeth Elliot’s book, A Lamp For My Feet, which related to doing jobs you do not really want to do. It hit me between the eyes. I have always viewed housework as an imposition to me, taking me away from what I want and like to do. Actually, it is a God-assigned job in my life, arranged for my maturity and conformity to Christ.
Here is what Elisabeth said:
“The job has been given to me to do.
Therefore it is a gift.
Therefore it is a privilege.
Therefore it is an offering I may make to God.
Therefore it is to be done gladly, if it is done for Him.
Therefore it is the route to sanctity.
Here, not somewhere else, I may learn God’s way. In this job, not in some other, God looks for faithfulness. The discipline of this job is, in fact, the chisel God has chosen to shape me with–into the image of Christ.”
I pray I can take a new view of my household tasks. May I learn to honor God in the required duties of running a house and home and receive this assignment as His best plan for me. And may I strive to work faithfully and joyfully in the job chosen for me by my loving Father Who knows best how to conform me to the image of His Son.
“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” Colossians 3:17
The greatest thing about this post is that you heard from God! Isn’t it incredible that He is personally involved in the lives of His children and we can hear Him speak to us? I loved the Elisabeth Elliot quote and it is a good word for me today as well!