S201P1 – The abundant life: work

Lk. 10:2

He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

The first job I had as a teenager was as a busboy.  I remember in the beginning there was some excitement at making a few dollars for myself and getting to know some new people in the process.  However, this work eventually became tedious and sometimes boring.  The luster faded quickly as I realized how little money I was making for all that work.  Beyond that, the work was also very easy.  There was no challenge, and I did not think I needed any special talents or gifts to get the job done. It was mindless and unfulfilling.  It was all of the things that we hope work is not but sadly our work too often becomes.

When we follow Jesus Christ, we are taking on a new job.  The first thing to know about that job is that the work never stops.  In fact, there are always positions to be filled.  Even when we get more and more work done, there is just more and more work to do.  Secondly, the work never gets old and boring.  It is always different and exciting, and it should get us up in the morning.  I don’t know about you, but no two days with God have been the same for me.  The work He gives me is challenging and fresh from day to day.  After all, can we read the account of the life of Jesus Christ and point to any two days that were the same?  No, his life was a variety of good works that illustrate God’s creativity in his power and Grace.

To live the abundant life that God has for us means to have an abundance of good works to accomplish for him.  The work is never stale but always changing and challenging us.  Even after decades of following him there is always more work to be done.  This work, however, is not the nine-to-five drudgery that some of us experience in our secular professions.  This work is walking alongside the almighty God and allowing him to work through us and with us in incredible ways.  Father, plant in us the desire to seek your work daily, knowing that the fields are ripe for the harvest and that You desire us to help You with your work.