Galatians 6:9-10
"Let us
not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if
we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all
people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers."
NIV
Cutting, hauling and stacking wood is a large part of
our lifestyle in northern British Columbia, Canada. It is simply a fact of life.
If we want to stay warm in the winter, we must work hard in the summer and get
the wood in. As much as we appreciate the fact that we have the strength and
energy to do this hard work, and that this task keeps us in good physical shape,
there are days when we groan at the very thought of unsheathing the chain saw
and hauling out the wood wagon. So you can imagine what a thrill it was for us
when we arrived home from work one evening to discover that a cord and a half of
wood we had had delivered the day before had all been neatly cut and was just
waiting for us to haul it to the wood shed.
Look, my daughter said as she pointed at the sight,
the wood fairy has been here! This kind act by the Anglican pastor's husband
reminded me of today's scripture. Cutting wood for someone is not a glorious
task, one which puts a person in the limelight to receive applause and slaps on
the back of acknowledgement from others. It is simply hard work that makes a
person physically weary. And yet such a humble and simple act of kindness is the
work and will of God.
So today, as God's children, let us look for
opportunity to do good to all people, as the occasion arises. Let us not be
cynical, lazy or weary in our desire and efforts to obey our Lord. For no matter
how inglorious a kind act toward another may seem to us, such tasks are indeed
opportunities to share the radiant beams of Christ like love to the world around
us.
Prayer: Father God open our hearts and eyes to
recognize and grasp this day the opportunities you set before us to do good to
others. Grant us the strength and grace to perform these acts of kindness with
humility and love even when those we seek to bless may turn a blind eye or give
no acknowledgment to our efforts. Let us not ever grow weary of doing good for
Christ's sake that others might see and know the Living Lord within us. In
Christ's name we ask. Amen.
Lynne Phipps
lynnephipps@hotmail.com
Atlin, B.C.
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