Susan Narjala
Keeping it Real
Two Words That Free You To Work More Fully
When you’re a writer with a relatively small platform, sometimes you’re looking for a seat at the table—to sort of wedge yourself into an already-crowded space.
In today’s world that often means a sizeable social media following (read: one of those blue ‘verified’ checkmarks next to your name) and an email subscriber list that’s about a mile-and-a-half long (speaking conservatively, of course).
When people ask what I want career-wise, I find myself telling them: I’d like to establish myself as a writer.
That seems a pretty valid ambition: To establish myself.
Nothing overtly wrong with that goal, correct?
Maybe you’ve felt it, too. The need to establish yourself in your field of work or in the social media space or perhaps in your role as a parent. To feel a sense of validation, a sense that you’ve ‘arrived,’ and have others corroborate that you’ve arrived.
Consequently, I found myself praying: “God, would you help me establish myself as a writer? I want to have credibility—er, maybe even success—in my field.”
And God answered my prayer.
(Did you just do a double-take? Did I make your eyebrows arch in surprise? Let me set the record straight.)
No, I haven’t become an overnight sensation in the world of writing. My social media following is still pretty anemic and my email list is still… well, let’s just say I won’t run out of ink if I decide to print it out.
But God answered my prayer by pointing me to Scripture. Moses in Psalm 90:17 prays: May the favor of God rest upon us. Establish the work of our hands for us. Establish the work of our hands.”
God took a bright-pink neon highlighter (er, metaphorically speaking, of course) and called my attention to two words in this verse. Two simple, monosyllabic words. Two easily ignored and disregarded words in the text. The two words I’m referring to? For Us.
The psalmist writes, “Establish the work of our hands for us.”
Friend, here’s the thing: I don’t have to establish myself. It’s not up to me.
God does the establishing. God grants the success. God brings the gains. God plants my feet on the heights.
He does it for us. On our behalf. In our stead.
Which means we are free to simply focus on what we’ve been called to: to work for the glory of God. Our assignment is to work with excellence, no matter how insignificant it may seem.
That, to me, has not just been revelatory, it has been a weight off my shoulders. It has helped sharpen my focus on what I need to do versus what I think I need to do. It has helped filter my goals through the sieve of, “Is this God’s work or mine?”
I don’t have to invest my time, my energy, and resources in “ensuring” my success. I don’t have to elbow my way to capture a seat at the table. If God wants to put me on a platform of influence, He will do it for me. He will do it despite me. He will do it even if the odds are stacked against me.
In Psalm 16: 6, David says: “The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places.” You know what he doesn’t say? I have pushed the boundary lines by my own effort and will power.” David attributes his security to God.
Friend, maybe you needed to hear that today, too.
Maybe you’re worried about where your career is headed and trying hard to prove your worth to others. Maybe you’re wondering how you can get hold of that promotion. Maybe you’re fixated on creating a following on social media. Maybe you want your kids to “get ahead” so others can see you as a successful parent.
The world may advocate that we push and shove our way to the front of the line. The culture may conclude that we compromise our values and grab hold of what we want, ignoring the cost.
But God reminds us today that He alone takes us from glory to glory and from strength to strength. He does it in His way and on His schedule. Meanwhile, He calls us to trust and obey. He calls us not to despise the day of small beginnings. He calls us to rest in the knowledge that we are already rooted and established in His unfailing love.
Thanks!
MEET SUSAN
Comments
14 Comments
Emily
Know you’re enough and that God is continuing to use you 🙂
Susan Narjala
Thank you, Emily!
Carolyn
Susan thank you so much for your posts. Don’t want you to get a “big head” but I could just sit at your feet and absorb your words. You have a God given talent and making a big difference in the world. I can relate to what you write as you put your words in real life situations. I can now see scripture in a different way. Wish you were closer as I would love to have friends like you even at the age of 82. God continue to guide you in your posts.
Susan Narjala
Hi Carolyn! I didn’t know you’re 82! I’m so blessed to have an email friend like you. And I know I would have tons to learn from you!! And, who knows, maybe one day we will meet 🙂 Love, Susan
Susan Abraham
Susan,
I love your honesty and spiritual insight that “ He alone takes us from glory to glory and from strength to strength. He does it in His way and on His schedule. ……….He calls us to rest in the knowledge that we are already rooted and established in His unfailing love.”
May God establish the work of your hands for His name and glory!
Susan Narjala
Thank you, Susan. Praying that we will all grow in grace as we wait for Him to establish us. Blessings, Susan
Rebecca Leslie
I loved this article. Felt like it was written for me today. Thanks so much. 🙂
Susan Narjala
Thanks, Becky! Such a struggle to hand over complete control to Him. I keep taking it back 🙂 But He is soooo patient.
Winnie Nelson
Hi Susan – thank you so much for this post. I am starting a new role and the responsibilities are completely new to me. I am still in my orientation days and it’s so good to be reminded to not despise the small beginnings. I do feel a complete weight lift off my shoulders as I have been thinking how to establish myself as a success in my new role. It has often taken away the focus of what I need to do everyday.
Thank you for your words and for always directing to God’s Word. I am always blessed by your writing !
Susan Narjala
Thank you, Winnie. I haven’t worked in the corporate space, but I can imagine the pressure to establish yourself. May God give you the daily encouragement to fix your eyes on Him. We get to partner with the King of the Universe. Best thing ever 🙂 God bless, Susan
Rosaline Godson
Amen. Praise God! Thank you, Susan, for the timely encouragement.
Susan Narjala
Thank you, Ms Rosaline. Glad it spoke to you at this time! Susan
Phyllis Scripdick
I really needed to hear this message today. I just prayed this morning asking God what gift that I can offer the world. In reality, I am already doing what God called me to do, I do however feel that I live somewhat small and would like to grow, but know it must be God’s plan otherwise is will not happen. From past experience, I know that trying to force things isn’t the answer either. In fact, when you try to work your own plan without God, you will not succeed.
Thanks,
Phyllis
Susan Narjala
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Phyllis. Yes, I absolutely agree. When we try to go it alone, we may have world success but come up empty inside. May God establish the work of our hands for us. – Susan