First an apology for my tardiness this week. I was unavoidably tied up yesterday. please accept my apologies. Just some thoughts this week. The famous philosopher, Ferris Bueller once said,"Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it." A much wiser(wiser than Ferris?!) yes wiser than Ferris, put it this way.
Psalm 127:2 (NASB) 2 It is vain for you to rise up early, To retire late, To eat the bread of painful labors; For He gives to His beloved even in his sleep.
My favorite verse in all the Bible is the one that precedes the above verse.
Psalm 127:1 (NASB)
It speaks to the vanity of building our lives, our dreams and aspirations without the direction and counsel of the Lord. That being said I was reminded this week past of an article, actually articles that I read concerning the American worker. Bear with me, I have a point. The article spoke about the workers in America being overworked. At least those that can find a job. It cited study after study about the gradual lengthening of the work week from the 60's and even before to the present day. We work longer and harder than any country in the industrialized world. It is estimated that we now work on average one month per year more than our preceding generations. But here is the real kicker. Since the 1970's the wage of the American worker, adjusted for inflation is flat or even slightly negative! It seems that 40 % or so of American workers are working for less than the minimum wage of 1968 adjusted for inflation. So yes, you are working longer and harder and for less money too!! Apparently, all those profits have found their way to the corporate coffers and the investment classes, you know the so called 1%'s. While you, fellow average Joe, are working yourself to death to feed and clothe your family. O.K., O.K. No, this is not a political diatribe on income inequality. The Bible speaks to that on countless occasions. It is a fact of life.However,I had to lay that foundation to make my point.
There are people out there(you may be one of them) that are worn out physically, mentally and spiritually due to a system that makes empty promises. All this system cares about is squeezing the last ounce of energy and life out of you to increase it's bottom line. It could care less whether you live or die. Your spot will be filled before your desk is cleaned out. You feelin' me here? So what are you saying here Ronnie? That I should quit my job and start the revolution? Not at all, far from it as a matter of fact. The Bible is very clear about those that don't want to work and play the system. Read this.
2 Thessalonians 3:10 (NASB) 10 For even when we were with you, we used to give you this order: if anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat, either.
The key word being "willing." If this verse was official public policy for our country we wouldn't be in near as bad a mess would we? I shall proceed to keep my big mouth shut as that IS the beginning of a political diatribe!(smile) My question to you is simply this. Are you tired from the beatdown the world is putting on you? Are you so worn out that you can't or better yet DON'T HAVE THE TIME to enjoy the kids, grandkids etc.? Has your joy been stolen or more accurately worked and pressed out of you? If so, then maybe it's time to take a good look at that verse again.
Psalm 127:2 (NASB) 2 It is vain for you to rise up early, To retire late, To eat the bread of painful labors; For He gives to His beloved even in his sleep.
"...For He gives to His beloved EVEN IN HIS SLEEP."(caps mine)
Folks, my point is this. To feel slighted, to become angry or frustrated with circumstances, (even though we all have and still do at times), to stage sit-in protests at your employer's corporate offices is to miss the point of this verse. What this verse and the one before it is saying is this. Quit killing yourself for a system that doesn't care. Get alone with God, tell Him how tired you are and how that you can't see the forest for the trees. Your being pressed beyond measure and you need HIS help. Ask Him to help you find a way to take a step back and SLOW DOWN from the demands of the system. Listen, He owns it all. The cattle on a thousand hills. All and I mean ALL the gold and silver is HIS! And it is His good pleasure to give you a little slice and get you off that killer treadmill. Don't go out and make any radical changes, no....take it to the Lord God Almighty and allow Him to make the radical changes for you.
Psalm 121:1-8 (NASB) 1
2 My help comes from the LORD, Who made heaven and earth.
3 He will not allow your foot to slip; He who keeps you will not slumber.
4 Behold, He who keeps Israel Will neither slumber nor sleep.
5 The LORD is your keeper; The LORD is your shade on your right hand.
6 The sun will not smite you by day, Nor the moon by night.
7 The LORD will protect you from all evil; He will keep your soul.
8 The LORD will guard your going out and your coming in From this time forth and forever.
God Bless
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