Isaiah 60:1 “Arise, shine.”
In my adult life, my job titles have always
had the word “assistant” attached to them. First, for many years, I was an
Educational Assistant, and currently I am an Administrative Assistant. I have
been blessed in both of these roles, working with people that I not only could
admire but also grew to love. When you are in the trenches with people, it
certainly produces a closeness, and often they become family.
I will say, though, that the assistant role
is certainly not one of authority, and often carries with it the more menial
tasks; ones that are surely important to the overall operation, but could also
be considered tedious. Nevertheless, these duties need to be done, but what is
my attitude toward doing them? Do I approach these tasks with grumbling and dread,
or with positivity?
There are also many areas of everyday life
that have tiresome chores attached: laundry, dishes, cooking (that one would be
my sweet husband’s area), cleaning, paying bills, taxiing people, mowing,
raking, etc. It is the drudgery of life that, unless you can afford to pay
people to do things for you, we all have in common. Putting off these dreary
tasks never turns out well, because they need doing regularly, so what is my attitude
while doing them?
Chambers says, “Drudgery is work that is
very far removed from anything to do with the ideal – the utterly mean grubby
things; and when we come in contact with them we know instantly whether or not
we are spiritually real.” Wow! What does me being cranky doing the dishes have
to do with my faith walk or spirit? Does God call me to do absolutely everything
with a gratefulness and a joyful spirit? Does my attitude and condition of my
heart really make a difference?
Jesus did the most humble undertaking when
he washed His disciples’ feet, and He did it in love. Such a strong example our
Savior set for us. If my Lord and Savior
could do such a task, should anything be beneath me?
Chambers says, “It requires the inspiration
of God to go through drudgery with the light of God upon it,” and, “Some people
do a certain thing and the way in which they do it hallows that thing forever
after. It may be the most commonplace thing, but after we have seen them do it,
it become different.” Have you ever seen someone who truly walks in joy; someone
for whom even the most menial task is done with gladness? It is uplifting and inspiring.
God calls us to do everything for Him without grumbling. How much easier and
peaceful would my life be if I approached any undertaking, big or small, with
a positive, grateful, and joyful attitude? Shouldn’t Jesus’ example always be
my guide? I am called to do EVERYTHING to the glory and honor of God. “And whatever
you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus,
giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” (Colossians 3:17)
Chambers says “If we arise and shine,
drudgery becomes divinely transfigured.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01cxvzZRN_Y
4 comments:
Drudgery, it seems to be a way of life. Bit you're right, working at anything as if working for God changes the way we look at work. Congratulations on da650. I love these posts and look forward to reading them every day. God bless you and keep you.
Do I even have to change dirty diapers with joy? Lol. Working on this aspect of my personality. It is very difficult to not whine about doing menial tasks especially if you are tired. I am working on being like St. Theresa. She said she was not able to do great things for God but everything she did big or small was for the Lord.
Ironically, the day after Rise I had a lot of little annoying thing happen at work and at home. I started to get cranky until I remembered this post. Yup, God reminded me to do all for Him, and when things go awry to offer those things up to Him. I learned that powerful lesson from you Mum, and from your Mum. I am a work in progress.
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