Sunday, 22 September 2013

First, Last and Best - 3rd devotional

Jesus does not release us from the necessity of effort, but He teaches that we are to make Him first and last and best in everything. We are to engage in no business, follow no pursuit, seek no pleasure, that would hinder the outworking of His righteousness in our character and life. Whatever we do is to be done heartily, as unto the Lord. -  Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, pg.99

            Why am I assigned to work caf again? This is not fair! I worked farm all last year, and now I have to wash dishes the whole afternoon! I complained to myself as I dragged my feet all the way to the kitchen. For me, working in the cafeteria at Fountainview Academy is the worst job I could ever get. Not because I don’t like to cook, but because I don’t want to clean up after a hundred, million people have eaten there. As I reach the dishwashing area, I start spraying the sticky dishes, dirty forks, and big trays with bits of potatoes stuck to them.
            As I thought of how annoying the work was, I saw Elouise coming, and her face shined with a beautiful smile. She called to me, “Mildred! Are you sure you want to do the dishes? Cause if you don’t want to, I don’t mind doing them.” At that moment, I stopped. My mind went back to the morning when I did my devotions and asked God to give me a willing heart to do for Him any task without complaining and with a good attitude. I felt ashamed. I prayed to God, seeking His forgiveness for not doing my job as if it was for Him, and for not making Him first, last, and best in everything. Jesus came to my heart, and as I kept scrubbing dishes, I didn’t feel annoyed anymore. The hours seemed to fly now that I was working for Him.
            Sometimes I get assigned jobs that annoy me, and I wonder why. But Jesus wants to work His righteousness in my character and make it perfect. I want to do everything heartily, as unto the Lord, and make Him first, last and best in my life. What about you?

            ~ Mildred Rhys

No comments:

Post a Comment