Whatever the Task

Certain verses conjure up strong memories for all of us – the old “standards” learned in Sunbeams (for the really ancient of us), GA’s, Acteens, Awanas. We hear them and, not only are they familiar to us, but they transport us to another place and time.

Familiarity can be a great thing, ranking right up there with tradition. But it can also have a negative connotation – suggesting boredom, staleness, taking for granted. I think sometimes we do this with those old verses we learned so long ago. So I was grateful this week when God gave me a fresh picture of one of my favorites.

Since we are retired military, we do our grocery shopping at Shaw Air Force Base. I suppose I’m not unique in that, when I see a jet take off, I get a thrilled clutch in the pit of my stomach. Most especially I love the noise. We were driving a block over from the airfield and I saw a…sorry folks, I don’t know my planes…fighter jet take off and bank a deep turn and head straight up into the sky. My heart did a flipflop but my attention was immediately diverted when Steve slowed to a stop for a young man in uniform carrying a bag of trash across the street to a dumpster.

Both men, the pilot and the man walking across the street, wore the same uniform (well not the identical uniform, but you get my drift). Both serve the same country and belong to the same branch of service. But their jobs that particular day were vastly different.

At once, I was sitting in a circle in my childhood church with my fellow sunbeams, surrounded by the flannel board and the pictures of the good Samaritan and of Jesus with the lamb across His shoulders. And we were saying our verse for the week. “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might.” That sentiment became such a part of my everyday life that I usually forgot its message.

The entire verse is as follows:
“Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the grave, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom.” (Ecclesiastes 9:10)

I’m assuming our leader thought the verse in its entirety was both too long and too dark for us wee ones. But reexamined as an adult, I take both encouragement and motivation from it. It says I have this one chance to become more like Jesus. I have this one chance to do whatever I’m doing with enthusiasm and love.

So whether you’re teaching a circle of toddlers a powerful story lesson or wiping down their toys with disinfectant wipes, be encouraged! Do it with all you’ve got. Whether you’re watching a son or daughter walk down the graduation aisle with pride or changing yet one more set of sheets that have been messed up by a little one with an upset stomach, know that what you’re doing matters. We all serve the same loving Father and He expects the best we have to offer Him!