WORK: WHAT A BLESSING!
Live Up To Your Purpose
The LORD God took the man and placed him in the garden of Eden to work it and watch over it. Genesis 2:15 (HCSB)
Outlook, some have called it perspective, is incredibly important. It is certainly true when it comes to work. In Genesis chapter two, we get an expanded account of the creation of man. We are told in the fifteenth verse that man was placed in the garden to work and watch it. We were created to work! It was extremely positive. It only became a negative type of word after the fall of man. It was then that our perspective began to change. I want to add that everything else changed too! The following story helps illustrate the difference.
“One day a father of a very wealthy family took his son on a trip to the country with the firm purpose of showing his son how poor people live. They spent a couple of days and nights on the farm of what would be considered a very poor family. On their return from their trip, the father asked his son, “How was the trip?”
“It was great, Dad.”
“Did you see how poor people live?” the father asked.
“Oh yeah,” said the son.
“So, tell me, what did you learn from the trip?” asked the father.
The son answered: “I saw that we have one dog and they had four. We have a pool that reaches to the middle of our garden and they have a creek that has no end. We have imported lanterns in our garden and they have the stars at night. Our patio reaches to the front yard and they have the whole horizon. We have a small piece of land to live on and they have fields that go beyond our sight. We have servants who serve us, but they serve others. We buy our food, but they grow theirs. We have walls around our property to protect us, they have friends to protect them.”
The boy’s father was speechless. Then his son added, “Thanks, Dad, for showing me how poor we are.”
Isn’t perspective a wonderful thing? Makes you wonder what would happen if we all gave thanks for everything we have, instead of worrying about what we don’t have.”
If you are fortunate to have a job today, praise God! You have an opportunity to live up to the purpose for which you were created. Make the most of the job and the life you have. As you dedicate both to God, you just might be surprised what the Lord will do.
Today’s Prayer
Dear Lord,
Thank You for the opportunity to work! You have given so many wonderful opportunities to learn and explore all of Your creation. Help me to be faithful with the gifts and talents you have entrusted in me. No matter what I find to do today, may I choose to do it for Your glory. In Jesus Name, Amen.