Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain

".” Psalm 127:1 (NIV)

From the time I was a little girl, I envisioned myself as a career woman. It wasn’t that my mother modeled this at home; she waited until I was in high school to work outside the home. I suspect it was a cultural norm. Whatever the reason, step-by-step, I progressed towards a full-time career.

Although I reduced my hours when my children were small, that was a temporary delay in my plan to excel professionally. You see, I was enamored of the business-woman persona – leather organizers, sleek business suits and heels that click when you walk down a hall. Little did I know that God’s plan for me actually involved t-shirts, shorts and sandals that flap when I walk into my kitchen.

Nine years ago, God redirected my career goals and called me to work at home. God wasn’t subtle in this “call,” which I would actually call a “shout.” It seems I had ignored His gentle nudging and promptings to leave the traditional workplace for years. So, faced with a self-driven woman (that would be me), God picked up my family and moved us 2000 miles away from everything I knew, in order to make His will clear.

A traditional career is a wonderful thing, if God has called you to it. But that’s the key – knowing where God is calling you and being obedient to that calling. God was clearly calling me to work at home. He called me to re-examine my priorities and live a life that reflected His plans, not mine.

Psalm 127:1 warns against making plans without the Lord’s approval: “Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain.” I had gotten my contractor’s license, designed the plans and construction was underway. Unfortunately, God was only a subcontractor in my agenda. Thankfully, I listened when the Lord spoke loudly and I relinquished control.

Every day, God calls women to transition from the workplace and come home. We all have different reasons. Some women want to be more involved with their children, volunteer more, or start a home-based business.

Whatever your reason, if God is calling you home, then I encourage you to be obedient. It might not be easy, but it is possible with God’s help. When you hand over control of your building project, you will find a life filled with blessings beyond your imagination.

Heavenly Father, I praise You for your goodness and faithfulness. I ask forgiveness for seeking my own way in this world, and building my own house. I give You control of my life and ask You to reveal Your will to me. Please give me wisdom and resolve to answer Your call on my life. In Jesus name, Amen.

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Related Resources:

work@home: a Practical Guide for Women Who Want to Work From Home by Glynnis Whitwer

Living Life on Purpose by Lysa TerKeurst

A Long Obedience in the Same Direction by Eugene Peterson

Application Steps:

Ask the Lord to confirm His will for your work, or to reveal His plan if it’s different from your current situation.

Look at your calendar. Do your time commitments regarding family, work, volunteering and church reflect your priorities? If they don’t, ask the Lord to direct changes that might need to be made.

Reflections:

What happens over time when you make a commitment that isn’t in God’s will for you?

Psalm 127:1 says, “Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain.” What have you “built” without the Lord’s approval?

This Psalm describes labors who work in vain. This implies that their work has no satisfactory outcome. Have you experienced laboring in vain? Describe.

Power Verses:

Proverbs 16:3 “Commit your works to the Lord, and your plans will be established.” (NAS)

Romans 8:28 “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” (NIV)

Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” (NAS)