As Industrious as Ants - Martin Wiles

Take a lesson from the ants, you lazybones. Learn from their ways and become wise! Proverbs 6:6 NLT

Although only a block away, my son refused to walk to it.

The year my son began high school, we moved to a rented home just across the street from the school. All he had to do was walk out the front door, cross the road, and immediately be on the school grounds. I thought, This will be convenient. I didn’t know my son as well as I thought.

He’s a hard worker now but wasn’t the most industrious person then. He didn’t care to walk. “I’d rather ride the bus,” he said. And he did.

Instead of walking a block, he boarded the bus at six a.m. Neither did he care to walk home. He rode the bus again and did not get home until five p.m. In my mind, this was the epitome of laziness. Why would one want to be gone from the house for eleven hours when it only had to be seven? Had he walked home, he could have had his homework completed earlier. And had he walked to school, he could have slept for another hour. Perhaps he was trying to make some unknown teenage point to me.

I’ve never observed a lazy ant. I wouldn’t have to spend untold dollars on ant poison if they were. Ants are continually working, gathering food, and building mounds.

My parents weren’t lazy and forbade me to be. From an early age, they assigned me chores. As a result, I became an industrious adult and passed along the same lessons to my two children—although it took a little longer to stick in at least one of them.

As my son fondly says, “Dad, I tried so hard not to be like you, but it happened anyway.” I just smile.

But God’s work has no room for laziness. Jesus says the harvest is plentiful. Millions need to hear about Jesus and see his love demonstrated through acts of service. God has given us the task and ability to change the world—actually, turning it upside down by permeating it with God’s kind of love. Time is slipping away, the needs are urgent, and laziness won’t accomplish the task. Don’t take the bus if God’s work for you is just across the road. Walk the block.

What are some ways you can be as industrious as ants?

Father, give me the desire to be eager to do your Kingdom’s work. 

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Help Wanted - Martin Wiles

The harvest is so great, but the workers are so few. Pray to the Lord . . . and ask him to send out more workers for his fields. Luke 10:2 NLT

I heard their help wanted plea, so I took the job. They needed help—and I needed more money.

Picking watermelons was one task I’d never undertaken. I had recently moved to a farming community where one of my fellow church members grew watermelons commercially. The owner had only one regular employee but hired extra hands during watermelon season. When he asked if I wanted to be one of the extra hands, I agreed.

Little did I know it would mean sweltering in one-hundred-degree temperatures in fields clothed with stagnant air. I also didn’t know I’d have to work bent over, rising only to toss the melon to the person waiting in the back of the farm truck that meandered down each aisle. After loading a truck, we’d drive back to the farmer’s home where an eighteen-wheeler waited. Here, we’d unload what we had just loaded. One summer was all I needed to realize we needed extra help.

The harvest Jesus spoke about wasn’t a nice crop of watermelons. Souls were on his mind. He was sending His disciples out into a world where the majority of the people were unbelievers. They had never heard of Jesus—which was possible since He’d only been around thirty or so years—or they had chosen to disbelieve He was the Messiah.

Every church could hang a sign over their doorway reading, “Help Wanted.” Most of the time, pay isn’t involved, but they need the help, nevertheless. While we have more means to preach the gospel message now than ever, the need to tell it is just as critical as in the first century. Technology helps us spread the good news faster and more effectively, but the world is still filled with those who need to hear and respond.

The disciples’ earlier decision to follow Jesus indicated their willingness to apply for the “Help Wanted” position. They would encounter opposition, ridicule, unbelief, and persecution. Some would be martyred. But they went, nevertheless. We should do the same.

Have you answered God’s help wanted ad? How can you share this ad with others?

Father, open my eyes to the harvest around me. Then give me the courage to go.

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Mouse Play - Martin Wiles

Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing. Matthew 24:46 NKJV

“When the cat’s away, the mice will play.” I was . . . and they did—mouse play, that is.

I suppose students haven’t changed much over the years when it comes to substitute teachers. The practice has always been to see how much they can get away with and to do things they wouldn’t think of doing if the teacher were present.

At one school where I taught, we didn’t overlook such behavior, nor did we tolerate it without consequence. One day, I missed the first three periods of the day because I had an eye appointment. When I arrived at school, the sub met me with news I didn’t want to hear—but news that didn’t surprise me. The first period class refused to listen to her when she told them to remain quiet and do their work. In fact, their noise level rose so much that a teacher in an adjoining room had to step in to reprimand them.

The students later regretted their actions. I checked with the lead teacher, and we agreed on a plan of action. The class served a class-wide lunch detention and wrote “I will listen to the substitute when the teacher is absent” repeatedly.  

Jesus told a story about servants who also acted up while their master was away. The master rewarded the faithful ones who did their jobs while he was away, but he punished those who misbehaved. Unfortunately, the innocent often must pay for the bad behavior of the few, as with students.

In Jesus’ story, He was the master, and the servants were believers. What He expects of us while we await His second coming—or our death—is faithfulness to His commands and the work He has left for us to do.

When we waste our lives on vain pursuits that benefit only us, we miss God’s blessings and invite His discipline. But it’s more than an obedience/discipline thing. We should obey God out of love and appreciation, not just fear. Life at its best comes when we obey because we love God and want to show His love to others in practical ways.

Messing around while the master is away sets a bad example and fosters an attitude of laziness that can become a lifestyle. Ingenuity and diligence let us enjoy life as God intends.

Don’t get involved in mouse play. Live each day as if Jesus is returning. After all, He just might.

Prayer: Father, may we be faithful to Your work as we await Your Son’s return. 

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Meandering Monday - Equipped for Service - Martin Wiles

Welcome to Meandering Monday, where we take a trip back to an earlier post and enjoy it again.

And now, may the God of peace, who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, equip you with all you need for doing his will. Hebrews 13:20 NLT

If I were to do it and enjoy it, I would have to purchase the right equipment.

Having the necessary equipment is essential for success and enjoyment when backpacking. A cumbersome, heavy pack weighs on the back and steals my joy. Packing a good backpack with unnecessary items will do the same. Waterproof tents are crucial. I’ve spent nights enduring storms in ones that weren’t. A good pair of shoes or boots are also a must. Blisters will appear if they’re too heavy, loose, or tight. Cold food isn’t tempting, so a light stove is also an excellent companion. If I’m backpacking in the winter, I’ll need a sleeping bag with a low-temperature rating. Otherwise, I will get hypothermia or spend an uncomfortable night sleeping in every pair of clothes I have. An endurable raincoat is another must. I’ve hiked in the rain in cheap ones that leaked and funneled water against my body.   

This first-century writer wanted his fellow believers to be equipped to serve God. He knew God would prepare them; he just hoped they’d see the need to put on the gear he offered.

Praying this prayer for myself and other believers is still a good idea twenty centuries later. 

If we attempt to do God’s work in our own strength, we’ll fail miserably—or either do it with the wrong motives and receive human rather than divine recognition.

When young David tried to wear the king’s armor to fight the giant Goliath, he discovered immediately it wasn’t the right equipment. God provides the equipment—salvation, forgiveness, a desire to share his love, faith, truth—all we must do is put it on. Perhaps a better prayer is that we’ll see the need to wear God’s equipment as we work in his Kingdom.

Are you equipped for God’s work?

Prayer: Father, we trust You to equip us for whatever You direct us to do. 

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Walk-on Wednesday - No Laziness Allowed - Martin Wiles

Welcome to Walk-on Wednesday. By Hump Day, we are struggling, but we believe a good devotion can strengthen us to finish the week strong. 

We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised. Hebrews 6:12 NIV

Laziness wasn’t allowed in my home of origin.

As a first-born child, my parents were out to make me responsible. Early on, I was given chores: take out the trash, help with the dishes, make my bed, clean my room. At twelve, I was using my parents’ push mower to cut neighbors’ yards for a small sum. When I turned fourteen, my grandfather procured me a job as a bag boy at a local supermarket. As an added source of funds, I also cleaned the church my father pastored. As soon as I graduated high school, I entered the world of full-time work and have been there ever since. There are days when I feel like being lazy—and am—but most of my time is consumed with work and doing other things I enjoy. Sitting around isn’t my style.

My parents didn’t appreciate laziness, and it appears from this verse and many others that God doesn’t look favorably upon it either. Yes, there is a time for rest—God demonstrated that by taking a day off when he had finished the work of creation—but the norm is for us to work diligently.

Although I’ve never been lazy where it concerns secular work, there have been periods when I’ve been lazy with God’s business. Those times when I just didn’t feel like attending church, reading my Bible, saying my prayers, visiting the sick, checking on the shut-ins, teaching a class, monitoring the nursery, etc. And, of course, when my attitude sours, it becomes increasingly difficult to share or live out my faith. Inviting someone to know Christ with a sour attitude and a face to match usually isn’t inviting.

Just as physical laziness will affect our health, spiritual laziness will bear on our spiritual health. There are days when we won’t feel like going to work, but we must go anyway. And there will be times when Satan discourages us from doing God’s work, but we must maintain the course, knowing that our labor for God is crucial and will be rewarded by him.

Has an attitude of laziness stolen your joy and your effectiveness for God?

Prayer: God of glory and grace, when an attitude of laziness steals our effectiveness for You, redirect our minds and hands to the work before us. 

Tweetable: What helps you overcome laziness? 

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Just Do It - Martin Wiles

But Samson told his father, “Get her for me! She looks good to me.” Judges 14:3 NLT

I tired of the rules—and wanted to break them.

From my earliest memories, I knew the rules. Mom and Dad taught them to me on a regular basis, and grandparents, along with teachers at school and at church, reinforced them. Don’t lie, steal, curse, smoke, drink, chew, or hang around with those who do. Don’t sass your parents. Keep Sunday holy. Overall, just be a good boy. Love God and do what the Bible says. That seemed like a lot of rules. And don’t question them. Just do them.

That philosophy worked well until I reached fourteen years of age, by which time I had tired of the rules governing my life. Some of them I had no problem with, but some I wanted to buck. Well, outright throw out the window. And I did. Before long, I found myself disobeying the ones I initially had no problem with. Somewhat like a domino effect.

Seven long years passed before I finally came around to seeing that doing it my way wasn’t the way to go after all.

Samson, one of Israel’s judges during their dark period in history, had the same problem. God instructed his mom to dedicate him as a Nazarite from birth. He could not cut his hair, drink alcohol, or touch dead bodies.

Nor was he supposed to marry foreign women who would influence him with their pagan lifestyles. When he found one he wanted to marry, he told his father he didn’t care about the vows any longer. He wanted the woman.

I had the same problem Samson had when it came to rules: I didn’t think before I acted. Not doing so always led to trouble for both of us. Thinking leads to emotions which lead to actions. And acting on emotions often brings unwanted consequences. Acting on what God says is right or wrong leads to a healthier lifestyle.

Just doing what we want leads to a reckless lifestyle, as it did with Samson—and me. I did what I wanted, regardless of whom it hurt, me included. Life became about me and doing what I wanted, not what God desired.

Just doing it—whatever it is—also ruins our example when the it runs counter to God’s commands. Telling someone God loves them proves difficult when our lives don’t align with His directives.

Just doing it might seem fun at the time, but in the end, disaster follows. Make up your mind to do what God wants. You will never regret the decision.

Prayer: Father, give us the fortitude to just do what You say.

Tell us about some things you made up your mind to do. 

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More to Do - Martin Wiles

When Joshua was an old man, the Lord said to him, “You are growing old, and much land remains to be conquered. Joshua 13:1 NLT

When Dad sat on the button Mom hollered.

No button existed, and Mom didn’t scream. But it appeared every time Dad sat in his recliner, an alarm sounded in Mom’s head. No sooner had he sat, than we’d hear, “Buddy, can you …?” 

When Dad retired, Mom’s honey-do list lengthened. She still worked, Dad didn’t, so Mom thought he had even more time to do things around the house. So, she left the list. Even if he finished it while she was at work, she’d find more for him to do when she came home.

After Dad died and Mom later remarried, her new husband inherited the honey-do list. My stepfather doesn’t sit in a recliner with a button. Rather, he steps on the button by just standing around. Mom hates idleness. Granted, she’s not lazy herself and works hard in her yard and in the house, but she seems never to know when to stop.

I often ask Mom, “How can you find so much to do in the yard. I don’t see anything to do.” She replied, “Oh, yes there is.” And off she rattles her more-to-do list.

By the time Joshua led the Israelites into the Promised Land, helped them fight the inhabitants, and allotted the land to the various tribes, he had become an old man. But there was still more to do. Some of the inhabitants were stubborn, fought fiercely, and didn’t want to leave their land. Even in his old age, Joshua had more to do.

Jesus left a command for His followers before He ascended back into heaven: Go into all the world with My message of love. Despite our advancements in technology—which makes this job easier—there are still thousands of people who’ve never heard the good news of the gospel, and still more who have heard but need to hear again because they didn’t believe the first time.

God doesn’t want us to retire from His work, regardless of how old we get. We can always do more. Maybe not as much—or with the same fortitude—but something. If nothing else, we can pray for those who don’t know Christ.

Age is relative, and modern medicine and techniques make it possible for many to have a higher quality of living at a later age in life. God wants us to use those years wisely in His Kingdom work.

Put some things on your more-to-do list, no matter what your age is.

Prayer: Father, help us see the more-to-do things You want us to do.

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Working for Whom? - Martin Wiles

And let the loveliness of our Lord, our God, rest on us, confirming the work that we do. Oh, yes. Affirm the work that we do! Psalm 90:17 MSG

I wondered if what I did really made a difference.

I am a teacher—or so it says on the outside of a door leading into my classroom. Middle School. Language Arts. Five days each week, more than one hundred students enter my door because the law says they must, and so do their parents. And when they enter, the law and their parents expect me to teach them what I’m paid to teach them. In my case, writing, literature, spelling, and grammar.

Since I’m also a writer, I love the subjects I teach. Not much preparation required. I teach with enthusiasm, wanting them to understand how important good communication is…desiring that they love good literature which can take them to worlds they may never visit and open their minds to things they’ve never considered.

But I’ve not always enjoyed my jobs. Some titles I hated. I worked there because I had no other choice. I didn’t like whom I worked for, the place I worked at, or the salary I drew. In some cases, I didn’t even care for the people I worked with. I labored with a frown on my face and dreaded every day I had to enter the doors.

My perspective hasn’t always been a good one. According to the psalmist, however, I don’t work for a person, but for God. When I have that perspective, the possibilities are limitless and so is the way I conduct myself at my place of employment.

Rather than a job, my employment becomes a mission field. In my present case, that’s easy. I teach at a Christian school and can say God’s name and teach biblical integration as often as I want. Not so with every job I’ve had. Speaking about Christ could have gotten me laughed at, warned, or even fired.

No matter what we do, God can confirm and affirm that work. We work for the Lord, not the one who signs the paycheck. God can help us transform the atmosphere of the environment. We can smile, even when doing unpleasant tasks. We can show kindness, even around unpleasant work associates. And in so doing, we shine the light of Christ into our work world.

If your working world is dark, bring in the light of Christ.

Prayer: Father, may we be Your shining lights with every job You give us.

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Work at It Hard - Martin Wiles

Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Colossians 3:23 NLT

Wherever she made the bed, she worked hard at raising what she put in it.

Bait worms were important to my maternal grandmother. She fished for a hobby—but also to make money. She didn’t use a rod-n-reel. She cut cane from the woods and fashioned it into poles. A large one for catfish and a small one for bream. Nor did she use fancy lures. She loved fat, juicy night crawlers. And why spend money buying them when she could raise them.

Her favorite spot to raise worms was in the middle of the back yard. The house was old, and the sink drain line didn’t empty into the septic tank but directly into the yard. She covered the spot where the water held with a piece of tin. The muddy mixture this created made a perfect bed for bait worms to multiply. When she readied herself to go fishing, she simply took a jar or can, went to her created spot, lifted the tin, and scooped up the worms.

My grandmother’s hard work paid off. She didn’t have to purchase worms, and she caught myriads of fish with the worms that she could sell to neighbors. Paul instructed early Christians to work hard at whatever they did, just as my grandmother did.

Work isn’t a curse, as some imagine. God didn’t tell Adam and Eve to work because they sinned. He told them to care for the garden long before their disobedience. The nature and intensity of work changed after their sin. They’d have to fight thorns and weeds. Their work would be toilsome. But work was God’s plan from the beginning.

Some may imagine we’ll sit around on clouds doing nothing in heaven. I picture another garden, larger this time, where we’ll work for God throughout eternity. The work will be pleasant . . . enjoyable. 

Our work will have purpose. Perhaps we’ll manage large gardens in heaven . . . or on the new earth.

God wants our best from the work He assigns us. Sloppy efforts don’t glorify Him. And they also speak poorly of our association with Him. Our work is “as unto the Lord.” Regardless of who we work for, God’s our boss.

Whatever God gives you to do, do your best. Remember, you’re really working for Him.

Tweetable: Are you working hard at God's work?

Prayer: Father, help us see our work in life as coming from You. Change our attitude so we’ll do our best and represent You well by the work we perform. 

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