40 Faces, 40 Places: A Devotional JourneySample

Kate from Exeter

Sometimes whole-life discipleship looks like trusting in God’s plans.

I’m a worker in two jobs and a mother of three children, including one adopted child. I often struggle when I’m exhausted, feeling like I don’t understand where God is or what He’s doing.

Being in two workplaces means challenges of managing and working within two different cultures and contexts and remaining consistent and strong in my faith. I struggle when I don’t see God in my daily life and when I don’t understand why I’m in certain situations or when I don’t know how to get through a bad patch at home or work.

Sometimes, I feel God’s presence when I don’t see what’s next for me or when I don’t understand why certain things happen. I know I need to be grounded in who God has made me be and where He has placed me. I need to see the bad times through, take joy from the good, and trust that God has the next step already planned out.

I saw God working in my life when we went through the adoption process, keeping faith that our family would repair. Now, I see God in the beauty of our children and my job – I know that each person is there to help me grow, being reflective about who God wants me to be and how I can grow to be more like Him.

Reflection

When life is complex and difficult, so is whole-life discipleship! Our frontlines are a blessing, filled with opportunities to show a Christlike difference, but they are sometimes exhausting, confusing, and challenging.

Kate helpfully describes the challenge our cultures and contexts can pose daily. In these situations, we all face the challenge of being adaptable while maintaining a consistent character.

We can hold on to what we have found to be true. We can remember precious moments of God’s presence just as the placing of stones in the Bible often provides a visual reminder of God’s provision. Moments of clarity can see us through times of uncertainty.

Prayer

Lord, on days when I can relate to Kate’s challenges, help me see my frontline through Your eyes, and know Your presence with me there. Help me trust Your plans for my day-to-day life and the long term. Thank You for always providing enough today to help me go on.