Every Friday I join a community of bloggers for Five Minute Friday. One word prompt, five minutes. Unedited. The prompt this week is … Work.
My intent upon seeing the word prompt earlier this morning was to skip writing, after all, I don’t “work”.
I enjoyed my quiet time, my coffee, and straightening up the house a bit. Going to the sink to wash the morning cups, I read the verse on the calendar once again before I would change it. Much to my surprise, it reads:
“He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.”
(Proverbs 18:9, KJV)
As I washed the dishes, my thoughts kept on pondering what the verse could mean …
- When we put off doing what needs to be done, we are wasting time on other things.
- When we put off taking care of what needs fixing or mending, we make a larger problem develop.
- When we are lazy, our work ethic also is ruined or broken down.
All of life is “work”. Whether employed in a vocation, raising children, or retired, life will require work and effort on our parts. Perhaps that is why we are reminded to work heartily or with all our might.
Work – it may actually be good for us or for our good.
“Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might.” (Ecclesiastes 9:10, NASB)
“Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men.” (Colossians 3:23, NASB)
Today I may be joining …
I agree, in every stage of life we work–and it is best if we do so heartily as it says in Colossians!
Joanne, this verse always gets me because I use to be a procrastinator. I can now still fall into putting something off but then I remember this verse and I try to address whatever needs to be done. And then the rest goes on a to-do list and then scheduled in. But some things have been on this list too long. I am intentionally addressing them one by one.
Working for the Lord rather than for men – often this principle will help us get through the tasks (or workdays!) when we don’t much feel like working! Good reminders! Visiting from FMF#15
I love those concluding verses, Joanne. Thank you.
Work is something I avoid,
because it makes me really tired,
and methods that I have employed
have left all my mates inspired.
I’ve painted floors with energy,
putting into it my pride,
’till I worked my way so I might be
trapped in a corner ’till it dried.
Clever chap, or so I thought
as I fell into a doze,
but expect, well, I did not
the foreman following his nose
and finding me in sleep sublime,
cutting off my overtime.
Isn’t is wonderful when God opens our minds and thoughts more clearly to His word? I enjoyed your thoughts on ‘work’.
This is very thought provoking and a bit convicting.
Thanks for sharing.
Isn’t God amazing in the way He shows up in calendars and such?
“All of life is work” – so true, Joanne! I’m grateful for the good work we are called to do, especially when it feels like play. 😉