How to set the World on Fire

Hey there bloggers. Mt name is Lara and I've recently struggled with the idea of calling and vocation. You see my whole life I've known what I have wanted to do. It's been a no-brainier since I was a junior in high school. Recently, my world got all shook up and I'm left processing. You see I grew up reading quotes like this one right here with promises of setting the world on fire if you are in the right place. I've worked the same place for 4 months now and I can't imagine any part of me that's set the world on fire. No offense to St. Catherine because I get what she was saying. There is something beautiful that happens when we are where God wants us to be. But do you think the mom of three constantly changing diapers, cleaning up messes and breaking up fights would describe her day as setting the world on fire? Or the businessman who goes from meeting to meeting to meeting until he thinks his head will explode. Or me? When I go to work and create spreadsheets and type out meeting minutes. I am exactly where God has me.. but where is the grandeur? Where is this world changing?

One thing I'm learning is I have a lot of expectations about my life. I put a lot of that on myself and a lot of it from well meaning culture. Everyone wants to make a difference. We all want to know we are a part of something greater than ourselves and that in our day to day lives we are serving a purpose. I'm struggling because for so many years my purpose was in serving (specifically in a ministry setting).

So what is our purpose? My counselor recently introduced me to this verse from one of Paul's letters.

1 Thessalonians 4:11-12
"Make it your goal to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands, just as we instructed you before.Then people who are not Christians will respect the way you live, and you will not need to depend on others."

Now I admit, I don't have it all figured out. But I do know my life doesn't have to be "setting the world on fire" to be where God has called me. So I wake up every morning, not fully understanding my purpose, but knowing I'm anchored to a God that uses everything. That takes A LOT of pressure off us to "find the perfect job" or to "fulfill our calling". When we start to come to him with empty hands and ask him to give us our daily bread- that's a lot less pressure.

So for you out there who is struggling to pick the right career path, make it all line up or climb the social ladder- just rest. Know he has you where you are for a reason and he will open doors to where you need to be.