Exodus 4:13 “But Moses said, O Lord, please send someone else to do it.” NIV

Colossians 3:23 “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.” NIV

During the winter months, watering our livestock becomes quite a chore as two 5 gallon pails of water must be carried from the house to the corral, lifted over the fence and poured into the drinking tub.

At first I hate this ritual. Grunting and groaning it is most difficult. I dread the thought of it from the moment I awake until it’s accomplished. Day by day, bit by bit however the task becomes easier until one day I am hefting the pails over the fence with reasonable ease.

Likewise within our Christian walk, God sometimes calls us to a task which we feel is most difficult, even loathsome. We may be asked to work within the church, our family or the world where we either feel inadequate to the task or believe our gifts and talents are being wasted. Often when this occurs, we grunt and groan and complain. Every day becomes a battle as we wish with all our hearts that we were doing something else. At such times in life I have found myself dwelling upon today’s passage:

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.”

And when I choose to obey this verse and even go so far as to thank God for the opportunity to serve him in this manner, things begin to change. Bit by bit the task becomes easier or more acceptable as I become more competent or see how the position is growing and stretching my faith in areas where I was weak. Bit by bit my attitude does an about face and what was once a loathsome burden becomes bearable or perhaps even a task I end up appreciating and enjoying.

Today, you too may be struggling in a similar situation, if so don’t give up or feel discouraged. Rather choose to work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, and bit by bit you too will discover that things begin to change for the better.

Prayer: Father God help us this day to do whatever work we have been called to do with all our heart, as working for the Lord, and not for men. Grant us the discipline and inner peace to focus on you and not ourselves that we may be lifted up and encouraged amidst our tasks. In Christ’s name we pray. Amen.

Lynne Phipps lynnephipps@hotmail.com
Atlin, BC