Where no oxen are, the trough is clean; but much increase comes by the strength of an ox. Proverbs 14:4 NKJ
I love that scripture because I like things neat and clean. Maybe one of the reasons I don't cook is I don't like messing up the kitchen, but I love to clean it up. So I can sympathize with the owner of the trough who wants it clean but look at all the money and provision that comes from an ox and a frankly messy barn.
In life, there is often a trade-off. I look out my window on the way to work and I see dirty, bedraggled snowmen, melting and looking shabby. But the melt also means that there is a warm spell and spring is in the air. Fresh snowmen look pretty, but that means there was fresh snow and winter is still very present.
Even in the Christian life, we think we can have it all - spiritual, material and smooth sailing. But if there's no wilderness experience, you never learn to fight. "He teaches my hands to make war," Psalm 18:34 NKJ. He helps us have peace in the battle so that as we fight against things that come against us, we can actually have it all. Most of all we have Him with us saying, "here we go, hold on, I'm in this with you.
The trade off is: we give Him our troubles, He gives us His presence, power, and ability. That's a pretty good deal.
Definitely a good deal, and you make an excellent point.
ReplyDeleteI don't like cooking and messing up the kitchen either. LOL
oh yeah. This is what I am learning right now! Thank you for your words and your support. We're all in this life together and if we realize that, it could be so much easier!
ReplyDeleteI'd say we got the better end of this deal!
ReplyDeleteYou are so full of wisdom. I hope to meet you in person someday...
Love,
Jen
I'm really enjoying the devotional aspect of your posts. And I agree with you. We must give Him our troubles.
ReplyDeleteJessica, Terri, Jeanette - thank you for your kind words.
ReplyDeleteJill - the devotionals are the easiest for me to do and I enjoy them, but I like to share a bit of nostalgia sometimes, too.