Tired for God

I enjoyed two weeks of vacation this summer. During those two weeks, I didn’t have to plan meals, work at my job, do housework, go to appointments, etc. I had a blissful two weeks that gave me a break from my normal routine. When the two weeks ended, I found myself back at my job, working on my computer, and having flashbacks of the various places we visited. I wished I were still there. Then I came across the Bible verse in Luke 9:23 “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” As I meditated on this verse, I realized how much the people around me benefit by the things I do. Rather than just seeing my routine as work and duty, I began to see it as a way to bless others. In addition, how much of the work others are involved in benefits me? Each of us has a cross to pick up and carry daily for the good of others and the Kingdom of God. Am I carrying my cross?

God spoke through the prophet Isaiah to the children of Israel and said, “Yet you have not called upon me, O Judah, you have not wearied yourselves for me, O Israel.” (Isaiah 43:22 NIV) The next time you feel like groaning about a particular job or task you have to do, start to think about the people who will benefit from it. Think about how much joy you will give them or how much easier their lives will be because you are doing your part. At the end of the day, may we be weary from the work we did to benefit others and not just ourselves. Remember what’s written in Matthew 25:40 “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.”

Tags: Women, Religion, Devotional, Christianity