Bit By Bit

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 five-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, I find 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 Scripture 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, some who read this may be struggling in a similar situation. If so, we mustn't give up or feel discouraged. Rather, we can choose to work at it with all our hearts, as working for the Lord, not for men, and bit by bit, we, 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 You, and not for men. Grant us the discipline and inner peace to focus on You and not on ourselves, so that we may be lifted up and encouraged amidst our tasks. In Christ's name, we pray. Amen.

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