Corona Devo 3189

We work so hard.  Daily.  Monthly.  Yearly.  ...A lifetime of hard work is behind most of our names, and the efforts are tattooed in our DNA.  We work so hard.  And we should.  The Bible (God) tells us that "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, (24) since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving (Colossians 3:23-24)".  

We put in the work, and we should.

But (sit down and grab a tall glass of iced tea or lemonade), and let the Bible (God's Word!) remind us of what God also says: Good job.

  “After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. (20) The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.’  

(21) “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’  ~Matthew 25:19-21

We were not created by God to be lazy, sloth-like, or apathetic.  But once in a while: (Today!), we should stop and not just smell the roses, but receive them.  

It's okay (and Biblical!) to enjoy the fruits of our labors.  "All work and no play" is not a Bible Verse, and it is not good/healthy/life-giving advice for anyone seeking to live fulfilled and fully in Christ.  

  • So I commend the enjoyment of life, because there is nothing better for a person under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad. Then joy will accompany them in their toil all the days of the life God has given them under the sun.  ~Ecclesiastes 8:15 
  • The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.  ~John 10:10

~~~

There is a time for everything.  

Keep working hard and serving the Lord with our hearts and gifts.  But it is good and right to step back and enjoy the fruits of our labors, and the blessings of our today too.  And--if possible, with people that the Lord has blessed us with.  

There is a time for that, and today can be our time...to enjoy.  To relish.  To relax.  To bask.  To receive and enjoy after many days of working and giving.

(1)There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:
(2) a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot, 
(3) a time to kill and a time to heal, 
a time to tear down and a time to build, 
(4) a time to weep and a time to laugh, 
a time to mourn and a time to dance, 
(5) a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, 
a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, 
(6) a time to search and a time to give up, 
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
(7) a time to tear and a time to mend, 
a time to be silent and a time to speak, 
(8) a time to love and a time to hate, 
a time for war and a time for peace.  ~Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

~~~

If you count kindergarten, we each attended thirteen years of schooling in order to reach high school graduation.  Pre-school years add to that educational-sentence.  It is years of routine and learning and work.  But high school graduation is one of the few times in life where we can step back and breathe.  

If college or military or work is the next step, then there are usually a few precious days or weeks in between to work/travel/enjoy/figure-out-things...and enjoy.

Our son graduated a few weeks back and we celebrated him this weekend.  
Why?  

I think the better question after thirteen+ years of hard work, diligence, studying, leading, proclaiming Christ, and graduating...I think the better question is why not?

“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant!   ~Matthew 25:21

Why would we not celebrate this life (so far) accomplishment and the work that he has placed into achieving it?

And celebrate we did, with yummy food and delicious desserts, and loved ones.  And I understand the Bible to say, "Go ahead" and do so.  

Go, eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a merry heart, for God has already approved what you do.  ~Ecclesiastes 9:7

Perhaps it is not schooling that we have accomplished today, perhaps it is another day of sobriety.  Perhaps we have finished basic training, or potty-training, or puppy training.  Perhaps we have completed another day of care-giving for a loved one.  Perhaps we are still fighting-the-good-fight, but today we need a day to step back to rest and rejoice that we can fight. 

Take that time today with the Lord, and we can know that He welcomes us to do so.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  ~Matthew 11:28

We can work, work, work...
And we do.  But if we are working with the Lord in our hearts, we can also rest.  
Enjoy.  
Thrive.

And---we should.

So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ (32) For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. (33) But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.  ~Matthew 6:31-33  

Step back today, and take in our past week, year, decade.  God has been good to us.

Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.  ~Psalm 37:4 

Graduating high school or whatever we have persevered (and worked hard) to complete: celebrate today.

You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.  ~Psalm 16:11


Blessings, 

sarah 

https://sarahsundy04.blogspot.com 

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