Lepaterique, Honduras
Ahren Reiter, along with other Holy Cross team members, joined the youth of Betesda in painting the interior of their new worship center. Young men were already painting the structure when we arrived on Friday. They continued painting on Saturday and the church was ready for the worshipers on Sunday.
This was no small task.
The spirit with which the youth of Betesda painted was captivating. There was joy in their labor. If I hadn't been so exhausted when we arrived on Friday I probably wouldn't have gotten much sleep from the laughter and talking as they painted.
These youth of Betesda reflected Paul's encouragement to the Philippians. "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice." Philippians 4:4 English Standard Version
We don't often equate joy with work, yet when God created Adam (and before the fall into sin) he commanded him to care for the Garden. Adam reflected God, who had worked to create the cosmos, by caring for God's creation.
We have lost the joy of work as a consequence of sin. However, the fact that we have been redeemed by Christ sets us free to once again find joy in work, or maybe even to whistle while work.
As we find joy in our labor, we reflect Christ to world; a world that is baffled when someone rejoices in work.
Today's Challenge: Though it may be difficult to find joy in your work, hear the words of Paul ringing in your ear as a call to rejoice even when it's hard to rejoice. Remember joy is not the same thing as happiness.
Join the conversation at Praying With the Eyes on Facebook. http://www.facebook.com/groups/173881749421231/
This was no small task.
The spirit with which the youth of Betesda painted was captivating. There was joy in their labor. If I hadn't been so exhausted when we arrived on Friday I probably wouldn't have gotten much sleep from the laughter and talking as they painted.
These youth of Betesda reflected Paul's encouragement to the Philippians. "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice." Philippians 4:4 English Standard Version
We don't often equate joy with work, yet when God created Adam (and before the fall into sin) he commanded him to care for the Garden. Adam reflected God, who had worked to create the cosmos, by caring for God's creation.
We have lost the joy of work as a consequence of sin. However, the fact that we have been redeemed by Christ sets us free to once again find joy in work, or maybe even to whistle while work.
As we find joy in our labor, we reflect Christ to world; a world that is baffled when someone rejoices in work.
Today's Challenge: Though it may be difficult to find joy in your work, hear the words of Paul ringing in your ear as a call to rejoice even when it's hard to rejoice. Remember joy is not the same thing as happiness.
Join the conversation at Praying With the Eyes on Facebook. http://www.facebook.com/groups/173881749421231/
(Click on picture to enlarge.)
Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2012-2014 Douglas P. Brauner. ARR.
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