“Have fun at work. Another day in paradise!”
Having arrived a few minutes early for my appointment this morning, I slid into a vacant booth at the café’ and opened my Bible to steal a few minutes of sermon prep. At the round table to my left was gathered what appeared to be a regular coffee and breakfast gang of seasoned gentlemen. With typical big-boy bantering, they wound down their time together. Then one of them stood to his feet to leave, and his buddy said, “Have fun at work. Another day in paradise!”
With the only apparently still "employed" member of their fellowship group gone, they shifted their conversation to Lincoln Public Schools' HR department. Not exactly complimentary, but certainly, if they were to be asked, full of corrections and solutions! They also had sage comments about the unions of Wisconsin, as you can imagine. I jotted down some of their many insights and thought, “My, what wasted wisdom. These guys seem to have discovered the elusive answers to every labor issue in our nation. Someone probably ought to listen to them!” So, for a few more minutes I did. Then I thought, “Mmmm…probably not.” My friend arrived and I turned my attention to my breakfast appointment, satisfied that I had discovered at least one nugget to treasure. "Have fun at work. Another day in paradise!”
Sometimes you have to look down in order to see what’s up. With the multiplied tasks of national leadership weighing heavy on his shoulders, and the challenges of being the head of a most confusing home, Solomon still made time to look down. And the insight he gained from his contemplation exhorts us to personal daily diligence.
“Go to the ant, O sluggard (to delay, to be slow, to be lazy), observe her ways and be wise, which having no chief, officer or ruler (overseeing and overbearing supervisor!), prepares her food in the summer, and gathers her provision in the harvest. How long will you lie down, O sluggard? (Ouch…He sticks it to us again!) When will you arise from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest—and your poverty will come in like a robber/thief, and your need like an armed man.” Proverbs 6:6-11
The blessing of work is a gift of God’s grace that is too often disdained. But by it, He provides for our physical needs. Through it, He enables our fulfillment of the commission of creation to "rule and subdue". And when it is embraced with the tenacity of the ants, it makes the gospel attractive and alluring. “…so that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in every respect.” Titus 2:10
“Have fun at work. Another day in paradise!”
If only they knew how true! Sometimes you have to look down in order to see what’s up.
See you Sunday, Church!
Pastor Tom
0 comments:
Post a Comment