Work, Work, Work

Work, Work, Work

Most days I arise around 5am and start the coffee. I have two cups of coffee everyday. Once these are finished, coffee is finished for the day. Morning has been a favorite time of day for many years. It really started in 1992 when several of us traveled cross-country to the high desert of northern Nevada. We were approximately 21 miles off a paved road, so we were deep into the desert – far removed from the influence of electric light. We worked the whole day long, being, literally, in the middle of the desert it wasn’t as if we could simply jump down to the local Chic-fil-a or grocery store to pick up a sandwich or gallon of milk. We couldn’t just flip a switch turn on the stove / oven to cook up a meal. None of this was available so we had to work our fingers to the bone to make it happen. Oh yeah, there were about 2-3,000 of us gathered together so it wasn’t as if we simply had to care for ourselves, there were a great many in need.

The most satisfying work that I have found is the work done in service of others. There is something about preparing a meal for someone who doesn’t have any food that fills the soul in a way that other can not. When you prepare a meal in the middle of the forest or in the middle of the desert you must first build out everything – an entire kitchen. No running water, no stove / oven, no light – all must be “imported” and built out. This all requires work. When we do this type of work for others God smiles. If we don’t do the work necessary to be a reflection of Jesus Christ, who will?

Paul discusses this very thing…

II Thessalonians 3 NKJV

6 But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us.
7 For you yourselves know how you ought to follow us, for we were not disorderly among you;
8 nor did we eat anyone’s bread free of charge, but worked with labor and toil night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you,
9 not because we do not have authority, but to make ourselves an example of how you should follow us.
10 For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.
11 For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies.
12 Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread.
13 But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good.
14 And if anyone does not obey our word in this epistle, note that person and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed.
15 Yet do not count him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.