The Blessin’ in the Burden
If you’ve ever watched a squirrel try to drag a whole corncob up a tree, then you already know life can get ridiculous real fast. So, ease on up here on this front porch, friend, and let your heart take a deep, settle‑your‑bones kind o’ breath. Let’s step into some Scripture together, movin’ slow and steady like two lil’ ol’ boys wanderin’ through a shady holler, crunchin’ pine needles under their boots, sidesteppin’ a grumpy hedgehog, and tryin’ not to rile up a woodpecker tappin’ out his morning complaints while them boys is headin’ right on toward the creek back over in the pasture to do a little pole fishin’. In 2 Thessalonians 3:7-10, Paul reminds us that he and his team worked real hard, paid their own way, and lived out the rule, “Whoever does not work should not eat.” And that’s why Colossians 3:23 hits home so hard. “Whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.” Paul lived that out like a man who knew his workbench was holy ground. Friend, that there truth is sturdier than an ol’ tree stump with real long roots reachin’ plumb clear down to next Tuesday.
Paul was makin’ it mighty plain. He and his ministry team didn’t sit ‘round waitin’ for handouts like a lazy ol’ barn cat hopin’ somebody’ll drop him a biscuit. They worked day and night, not ‘cause they had to, but ‘cause they wanted to set a real good example. Ministry was never meant to be an excuse for laziness. And bein’ a pastor with a job on the side don’t make you one bit less spiritual. The Bible never said “full time” is the highest level. If Paul, who wrote half the New Testament, could roll up his sleeves and work, then, friend, ain’t nobody too all‑fired important to do a little sweatin’.
Some folks get it in their heads that real ministry means sittin’ back and lettin’ others carry the load. But Paul said the right opposite. He showed the Thessalonians that work is sho’nuff honorable stuff. Work is godly. Work keeps you from becomin’ a burden. An’ work keeps your heart humble enough to hear God clearly. The issue ain’t where your paycheck comes from. The issue is whether you’re willin’ to work at all. God blesses work. He rewards diligence. And He ain’t limited to blessin’ you only from your job. He can pour provision from places you never even expected, but He wants to see you movin’, not nappin’ like a lil’ ol’ possum in the heat of the day.
Father, thank You for the wisdom in Your Word. Help me choose diligence over laziness and service over comfort. Teach me to work with joy, to honor You in every task, and to be an example of faithfulness wherever You place me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Now, as you git yourself on back into a world where the squirrels act like all the acorns plumb belong to ‘em and the armadillos wander ‘round like confused little tractors lookin’ for a new job, you can be knowin’ sho’-nuff’ that God honors work. He blesses effort. He smiles on faithfulness. An’ when you choose to work with a right willin’ heart, He’ll open doors wider than a barn in the summertime. So, go on out there now, work real steady, walk real faithful, and let your life shine brighter than a big ol’ firefly festival in a summer meadow when the whole sky looks like it’s twinklin’ plumb on purpose.
With joy,
Gwen
