Keeping Guilt From Your Walk

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 Keeping Guilt From Your Walk

 Does guilt keep you from enjoying your walk with God? Especially when it comes to volunteer work? We have a tendency to judge ourselves more harshly than others when we don’t believe we’re doing enough as, say, the person who sits next to you in church. But doing good deeds looks different for each person.

At one time, you might have done more in the way of giving time, but now you’re hindered by all of life’s demands. As time goes on, changes occur. We might now have children, possibly there’s been a career change, and even illness can keep us from giving more time. Our circumstances might not allow for us to be as active in God’s ministry as we used to be.

And that’s okay. God understands. We have to do what our circumstances allow. A mother with small children cannot do as much as a retired couple with no kids at home. Luke 16:10 states, One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. The importance of the task doesn’t matter. It’s how faithful you are when you do the job asked of you.

God made us with different likes and dislikes. I’m not much in the way of a traveler, especially if it means flying. There’s a good chance I’ll not be going on a mission trip outside the United States any time soon. Guilt sometimes develops when a friend is heading overseas, yet God has currently made my mission field one of writing.

You have to realize that God might want your path to be closer to home at this particular time. He might want you teaching your children and their friends. Maybe being a greeter in your church is more what God has in mind. Not everyone is destined to fly to the mission fields in Haiti. Every task God calls us to do locally is just as important as stepping on a plane to spread the gospel in a foreign land.

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Any job very well done that has been carried out by a person who is fully dedicated is always a source of inspiration. – Carlos Ghosn, Automobile Chairman

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Every job you do is important in the eyes of the Lord. If you do your work with God in your heart, you will find the peace to erase the guilt you might be feeling.

Don’t cut yourself short. Allow God to lead the path He wants you to travel. No matter where it takes you, whether it’s across the street or across the world, make sure you leave  the guilt behind.

Kathryn J. Bain is an award winning author of 7 fiction books. Sign up for her weekly Christian blog at www.kathrynjbain.com.