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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: War and Peace (not about the book) (07/07/11)
    but I see a different law in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is in my members. (Romans 7:23 NAS)
All of us know what it means to derive pleasure and satisfaction from what we do for a living. Some of us however may never get the chance to do what we really like, and we know what it means to feel the drudgery of doing the things we dislike.

I have experienced both satisfaction and drudgery as a writer for a corporation. During the first five years with the corporation, I derived much joy and pleasure writing different kinds of technical and marketing documentation. The satisfaction of completing each piece of written work assigned was in itself a reward to me, and when the department received praise for the work I’ve done, I felt all the more gratified.

Things changed however after I was transferred to another department in my sixth year of working in the corporation. These days, I no longer get to see the final copy of my written work before it is published, by which time the content would have been already modified beyond any semblance of what I had written. This shift of events and change in work process has since put me in a precarious position. With a new supervisor installed who is almost always dissatisfied with my work, writing has become a drudge more than a joy. All my activities which my hands had done and the labor which I had exerted in the past, behold all was vanity and striving after wind (Ecclesiastes 2:11).

Perhaps, like me, some of us may be feeling the drudgery of doing the things we dislike or no long like. Within us, we may deem it meaningless to continue doing what we have been doing, and we may feel disheartened because of the precarious position we are in. A war may be waging inside of us even right now, calling us for a decision to give up and move on or to stay and learn how to derive satisfaction even amid drudgery. In our hearts, we may contemplate to just continue doing the things we have been doing with a changed attitude to no longer give of our very best, but such is not according to the word of God.

The Bible teaches that in whatever we do, we are to do our work heartily as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord we will receive the reward of the inheritance (Colossians 3:23-24). We are also told to do all things without grumbling or disputing that we may prove ourselves blameless and innocent children of God, above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation among whom we appear as lights in the world (Philippians 2:14-15).

Understanding this, therefore, let us hold fast to the word of God and not give up easily. Though a war may wage within us to suggest we turn astray (Romans 7:23), yet we must not waver. The Lord is the One who leads the way; in His will we shall walk and prevail. Rather than feel perplexed or anxious for anything, let us in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving make our requests known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard our hearts and our minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6-7).

Instead of relying on earthly praise or accomplishment to feel gratified, therefore, let us be content and boast only of our weaknesses that the power of Christ may dwell in us (2 Corinthians 12:9-10). For these things the Lord had spoken to us that in Him we may have peace. In the world we have tribulation, but take courage, He has overcome the world (John 16:33).

Dear Lord, forgive us for sometimes living our lives in drudgery as if there is no God. We know O Lord that even amid our struggles, You reign supreme and You know Your plans for us. Help us Lord to do all things without grumbling or disputing, that we may prove ourselves blameless, innocent, and above reproach. Lead us in Your will Lord that in You we will prevail. Grant us Your peace which surpasses all comprehension that in our troubles our hearts and minds will be guarded in You.
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Member Comments
Member
Date
Linda Goergen
07/16/11
Some really good soul searching truth here! How hard not to grumble and complain when things don’t go our way...the message within your piece, such a needful reminder!! A very well written devotional so relevant to our lives, as that “battle within” is some of the toughest battles we ever face! Good job!
Noel Mitaxa 
07/20/11
Thoughtful material, as we have come to expect from you. Yet I wonder if you are drawing too sharp a contrast; between God's long-term affirmation of our effectiveness in him; with more temporary and less caring assessments by those around us. I guess the big lesson for us is to stay so much in tune with God that we are still able to radiate his grace to those who take us for granted.