"But Moses said, O Lord, please send someone else to do it." (Exodus 4:13)
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
Atlin, BC
Please contact me here