Jesus
told a parable in Matthew thirteen about a farmer who went out to sow his
seeds, which fell on four different types of soil. Imagine this farmer walking
through his field sowing the seeds. Some seeds fell on a well-traveled path comprised
of hard packed soil. These seeds had no chance to get planted, so birds came
and ate them.
When work is seen as having little value
except for a paycheck, feelings of stagnation eventually replace a positive attitude
that made work endurable. What you bring to the work that God can use to
influence others gives work a special purpose. If our attitude is centered only
on a paycheck then encouragement will diminish like the seeds the birds ate.
Coming
to terms with who you can be in Christ Jesus and how that is passed on to others
can make a difference in the value you
place on work. You're encouraged to be committed
as if working for Christ Jesus, for he is at work to activate his good purpose
in you. With this attitude, you can sow seeds that yield a good harvest.
