“Nothing is so incongruous in a Christian and foreign to his character, as to seek ease and rest”.  So said Chrysostom, “Golden Tongue”, the early church father.  I have wrestled and grappled with this.  Admittedly, I’m violating a key rule by simply using a quote without any context.  But there is only so much that can be said in a short devotional.  Hence, let’s simply agree to take this quote in a positive light and consider 3 things:

1. Where is the grace?  Fortunately, it completely underlines, emphasizes and highlights the thought.  Without grace, our work and efforts would be in vain, working only for ourselves.  But now, because of Christ, we labor for our Savior.  As Paul says, we are “letting our lives be worthy of the gospel of Christ.”  Our efforts have a point, and are not without the why.
2. It’s Mother’s Day – is there anything for mothers here?  Indeed, as there is scarcely a better picture in all of life than our mothers who have labored on our behalf, even when exhausted, even when having 100 other things to do, even when they might start to lose sight of the why themselves.  Yet they keep on keepin’ on…changing diapers, kissing boo boos, helping with papers, making meals, encouraging us, believing in us…they have put aside ease and rest for us.  May they be encouraged and thanked for that.
3. Finally, we realize that even in heaven, we will work.  But it will not be a work burdened with thorns and thistles, tears or frustration.  It will be work where everything goes right!  No missed deadlines, no missed questions on tests, no being too hot or too cold while doing the work.  And that is something in which we can truly rest and trust, as we will be in the presence of our Savior, to whose citizenship we are called in Phil 1:27-30.

Rev. Darol Timberlake, Assistant Pastor