We have discussed the straw in our
lives; things that take up time unnecessarily, things that will
blow away the minute the storm strikes. Things that the devil wants
us occupied with, so that he can come as the wolf and steal our joy
and peace, because our houses are not built with solid bricks. He
is so very clever. He knows that if we don't fill ourselves
continually with the Holy Spirit with Jesus as our foundation, we
are easy prey for him. I hope after these past few weeks you have
looked at the straw in your life and made a conscious effort to cut
it out of your life.
Now it is time to discuss the
sticks in our lives, things that are more important than the straw,
but less important than the bricks. Things that will take longer to
blow away, but that will still blow away when a strong enough wind
comes up.
The best example for me to use of
sticks in our lives is our work. Now let me explain this carefully.
Work is important. It was one of the curses placed on Adam after
sin entered the human race. God declared that we will work hard in
order to survive.
"All your life you will
struggle to scratch a living from it. It will grow thorns and
thistles for you, though you will eat of its grains. All your life
you will sweat to produce food, until your dying day." Genesis
3:17-19
Work is something that men must do
and be proud of. Females can also work of course, but that is a
whole other discussion. The point is that work was ordained by God.
We have to do something in order to look after ourselves and our
families. And we have to do it to the best of our ability. The
whole Bible is full of verses, stressing the importance of not
being lazy and passive, but that we must work and keep busy. We all
have a purpose to fulfill. Imagine a world where no one worked. It
would be total and utter chaos, especially if evil stays as rampant
as it is today. Imagine no doctors to heal the sick, no police to
maintain law and order, no farmers to produce food, no teachers to
educate the young, no bankers to keep our money safe, absolute
chaos.
Work is therefore important as it
consumes most of our time. We must use our talents to be the best
we can be. The working place must be a better place because we are
there, no matter what our position is. A few years ago I met a lady
who was a cleaner for 35 years and what an inspirational lady! She
said that she knew her purpose was to be a cleaner and she was
going to do it to the best of her ability. I was so motivated by
her positive outlook in life and her knowledge of the Lord; it was
like a breath of fresh air simply talking to her. The people who
had the privilege of working with her, was blessed, I am convinced
of it!
Also God has placed you in certain
positions to proclaim His Word and His Kingdom to a fallen world.
Right there where you are, you have the ability to represent Him
and draw people closer to Him. The workplace is your missionary
field.
Work is a whole subject to talk
about. I will be able to write a whole book about it, but for now,
just know your work is important and that is why it is a stick in
your life. It doesn't define who you are, but it is a place where
you can live out your religion and influence people positively
because of it. It is a place where you can tell people about Jesus
and it is a place where the Lord can also build character into your
life. Be positive about it and give your utmost best. And when the
Lord tells you to move into a different occupation or to a
different company, then move. He will lead you where you need to
be, trust Him, He is faithful. He gave you many talents and He
wants you to use them to His glory.
Lord, thank you for our jobs. Thank
you that You gave it to us. Bless us there and help us to grow and
build our character so that we can be someone You can be proud of.
Also please give us the courage to talk to people about You and to
glorify and exalt Your Kingdom in the process. Amen