Previous Challenge Entry
Topic: Labor (04/19/04)
TITLE: WHOM ARE YOU LABORING FOR? By Anthony David 04/20/04 |
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By
Anthony David Swaroop Kumar
Robert kept looking at his watch. “I need to make it in ten minutes” he thought as he was rushing to his second part-time job of the day. He has been on his toes working from 6’O Clock in the morning!
Finally, at the end of a gruelling day, he reached home. After a quick supper with Serena his wife, he hit the sack, reminding himself that he needs to be up at 5 AM the next morning.
He was tossing and turning so much, that Serena couldn’t but ask him. “What’s the matter with you Robert?” “Oh it’s nothing,” said Robert trying to escape. But when she insisted. He blurted out, “ I keep worrying Serena. Will we be able to keep the mortgage on this house? Will we be able to get a better car? Will we be able to afford a better vacation this year?”
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Working hard, laboring as it were. But hardly satisfying. Whom is he laboring for? Himself and his own family. Materials and things. Not God or people.
“…Being content with what you have..” says the Bible (Hebrews13: 5) Many today labor, not even for themselves. They seem to labor for Money. In fact, the Lord Jesus Christ said that we cannot serve both God and Money (Matt6: 24).
The Lord also said this: “ Do not labor for the food which perishes but for the food which endures to everlasting life…”(John 6:27)
We need to labor too. But how?
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As the cock crew, the earliest one that too, Das got up. He had his devotions and quickly cycled to a village some 5 kilometers away. It was a Sunday and he had to lead the worship and share God’s word with the faithful there. He had to go and call all of them before he could begin.
After that, he had to go another five kilometers in the hot sun. Another hamlet. Another small but hungry flock waiting for this minister.
His last stop was nearly ten kilometers away from home. He finished up there and struggled to get back home. His body was aching and tired. He had hardly earned enough to feed himself.
But his labor seemed so satisfying to his heart. He said, “ I really feel happy that I am able to be faithful to do all this. If I do not go, they all will be hungry for the word of God.”
This is the labor for the Lord. I am sure that one day, Das will surely hear the Lord commend him, “ Well done thou good and faithful servant…”
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How about you dear reader? Whom are you laboring for?
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© 2004: Dr.M.A.David S Kumar