More Must Be Better

I had always planned to go back to work full-time once my kids were all in school; why wouldn't I? I loved to work (for the most part!), and, truth be told, alot of my self-worth and identity were wrapped up in my career prior to having kids. Being subtly "dismissed" in conversations which revolved around careers and worldly achievements had initially been somewhat of a blow to my ego.

Apparently, however, God had not received the memo containing our 5 and 10-year plan. When your kids are diagnosed with life-threatening health issues, it has a way of ... shall we say ... "adjusting your focus" in life. Suddenly, the really important things in life - the eternal things - have amazing clarity. ... And the temporary things - the "things of this world" - quickly move to the bottom of the priority list.

There came a point when we knew I needed to work in order to provide that little bit of margin that was missing from our budget. I waited over a year and a half for the right opportunity to come along, and God faithfully provided it.

I really hadn't even looked for a job at all. I'd had several offers because friends and family knew I was in the market, but I had turned them down; I knew they weren't the right fit for me. I really couldn't think of a job that would work well for our situation; I needed to be on a similar schedule as the kids, and I needed the flexibility to be able to take time off - even at a moments notice (for doctor's appointments, unexpected illnesses, etc.) without it being a problem. And, I really wanted to do something I enjoyed; I didn't want to just collect a paycheck. What kind of an entry level, part-time position would provide all of that?

Out of the blue one day, I got a phone call from a friend, "Trish, have you checked the school website? They have a new position open for a Computer Lab Assistant." I knew pretty quickly that it was the job I had been waiting for. I love computers and technology. I love administration. I love working with children (well, most of the time!), but what I love even more is training and teaching adults; this gave me an opportunity to do both.

The first year was fantastic. I worked approximately 20 hours per week, which seemed to be the perfect balance between work and family. I could set my own schedule, and I was off whenever the kids were off; snow days, holidays, summers. The additional cushion in the budget was just what we needed to make life more manageable, and furthermore, I loved the job far more than I ever could have even imagined. It was as if the job had been created just for me.

But almost a year into it, there was an opportunity to split my time between two schools; it would mean more hours (in theory, only about 8 - 10 more hours per week), more responsibility (which I thrive on), and more money. All of which sounded fantastic; what was there to even pray about? ... If a little is good, more must be better, right?

Um, no. Over the next 3 years, the workload and demands on my time increased dramatically; it felt as if I were working full-time, and it was having a huge impact on our family. Meanwhile, the small amount of additional income (realistically, only $1000 - $2000 more per year) really made no tangible difference in our budget or standard of living.

Over time, God started speaking to me about it and telling me it was time to leave that job - even though I absolutely loved it and had nothing else lined up. It was one of the hardest acts of obedience and faith that I have ever had to follow through on.

Herein lies the problem with human nature - especially where a potential stronghold is concerned. We have a general tendency to believe that if a little is good, more must be better ... and that's frequently not the case - especially where a potential stronghold is concerned. Whether it's work, ministry, money, things, technology, a hobby, sports or exercise, food, alcohol, or sex ... more, frequently, does not equal better.

Some of the most interesting research I have seen (and I apologize because I no longer have the source, but, if memory serves, it was a study conducted at Stanford University) concluded that there was even a "tipping point" when it comes to income; more does not necessarily equal better. Studies have found that, while happiness tends to increase the more money you make, when you reach around $75,000 a year, the happiness factor levels off. Perhaps it's because with the additional income typically comes additional stress. You create a lifestyle dependent upon that level of income, and suddenly, the additional income is not creating more freedom for you, it is creating bondage. Or perhaps it's because when you get to that level, you realize that money can only fill you so much; not to sound cliche, but we all have a hole that money (or any other stronghold) can't fill.

To recap: a stronghold is any external thing you run to in order to meet an internal need that only God can fill. The abundant life (John 10:10) comes when you surrender those strongholds to God; when you allow Him to decide whether or not you have someone or something in your life, and, if so, when, and under what circumstances.

And, let me be perfectly clear here: contrary to what the world may tell you, this is not about achieving balance or moderation, although it would be easy to walk away with that impression. It's about obedience! At any point in time, God may ask you to have alot (or none) of something in your life; freedom from a stronghold depends upon your ability to discern that, and to trust and obey Him. He has an abundant life planned for you; He knows you better than you know yourself. Are you going to trust Him and believe Him ... or not?

© I Lift My Voice, 2016.