A little trail on the edge of town winds through a beautiful field teeming with life. There is much to see and experience and maybe even receive it as our own. Of course, I do not speak of a physical field in a geographic location. Perhaps this field is right outside, and you never once noticed that little trail leading into it. But today may be different, and you decide to venture off and take in the nature and abundant resources waiting for you.
I read from Ephesians 6 this morning. It was quiet. I had a good cup of coffee in hand, and the sun was fighting to make an appearance. As I sat, I thought about what Paul said regarding the work we do, we are to be sincere and to do our work as unto Christ, and when we do our work, don’t do it just to be seen by man but “doing the will of God from the heart.” Paul said, “whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord.” Ephesians 6:6,7 Jesus said not to do your deeds to be seen by others but to do our deeds in secret and God will “reward us openly.” The temptation is to do things to be seen, but the kingdom of heaven is different, much different.
How much faith do we have? When we align with the calling of Jesus, we find a better way, and I would suggest it’s freeing. Jesus said that His yoke is easy and burden light. If we would give up greed, trust the Father will take care of us, and stop trying to position ourselves to be seen by men, we would be freer indeed. By the grace of God, we will. May we take His yoke upon us today. Oh Lord, change my heart.
I like to think we will see the wonders and beauty of the Lord as the scriptures say, “the heavens are telling of the glory of God.” Our machines, mass production, the grinding of the factory- I look at this as man’s ever-increasing way to find something of value and purpose, but it never leads to that. The Lord would call us to another path, and if by God’s grace we will see that simple way, then we truly begin to live.
It is a natural and promising way to stop striving against the truth and take His yoke upon us. We will be, as the Psalmist says, “like a tree planted by rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither, and whatever he does shall prosper.” Psalm 1:3
Jesus, may you be that constant flow in our hearts, and then no matter the season nor conditions around, we will be planted in your everlasting care.
There is a better way, yet we worry and strive. If we could just stop, slow down, and take a walk in the field- a most unlikely place. It’s not found in being busy, nor found in our endless scouring of social media, nor in fine universities or among the mighty- yet it’s all around. It’s not seeking a position to be seen or making the right connections at a social event. The life we really seek and long for is not found where the masses travail. The highway of the masses glitters with success, yet it lacks giving you anything you need- oh, and it’s tiring indeed.
There is a winding trail that few have found. The path is right before us. There is no toiling nor strife, yet those who walk on it are well taken care of. The Lord invites us to walk with him on this trail that winds through a field. The path is arrayed with lilies, the songs of birds and teaming with life.
Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Matthew 6:28-30