A Good Day's Work
Scripture Reading — 1 Thessalonians 4:9-12
Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands …
—1 Thessalonians 4:11
You will be happier if you work at something today.
Take my neighbor Wilbert, who liked work so much that he believed God would give him things to build in heaven. Toward the end of his life, Wilbert’s body lost its strength. His feet became swollen, his fingers ached, and he could no longer breathe well.
But Wilbert drove to the woods anyway and somehow managed to start his chainsaw. He would kneel down and cut a piece of wood. Then he would stop to breathe. Then he would cut another piece. After a while he would load a piece onto his trailer, and rest. And so on. With determination he managed to provide a winter’s worth of firewood for him and his wife.
Maybe you spend all your spare time on Facebook, or with video games, or watching sports. Too much of that, and your life will become like melting ice cream.
On the other hand, maybe you have lost your job or have become disabled in some way. There is no easy way through these sufferings, but taking on a task, no matter how small, even if it doesn’t pay money, can give your soul a boost.
Live with Wilbert’s attitude. Greet God with a prayer each day, and do something to honor him. You will be happier, and the world will be blessed through you.
Lord, I need strength and motivation through you. Please give me energy for the task at hand. Amen.
About the author — Keith Mannes
Keith Mannes serves as pastor at Highland Christian Reformed Church in McBain, Michigan. Keith and his wife, Alicia, recently celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary,
and they are thankful for their three children—Eben, Charis, and Breanna.
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