Ted W. Engstrom, in the book, The Pursuit of Excellence shares about a man who once made an investment in a large piece of ranch real estate which he hoped to enjoy during his years of retirement. While he was still active at his job, he would take one day off each week to go out to his land and work. But what a job! What he had bought, he soon realized, was several acres of weeds, gopher holes, and rundown buildings. It was anything but attractive, but he knew it had potential and he was stuck with it.
Every week he'd go to his ranch, crank up his small tractor, and plow through the weeds with a vengeance. Then he'd spend time doing repairs on the buildings. He'd mix cement, cut lumber, replace broken windows, and work on the plumbing. It was hard work, but after several months the place began to take shape. And every time the guy put his hand to some task, he would swell with pride. He knew his labor was finally paying off.
When the project was completed, the man received a neighborly visit from a farmer who lived a few miles down the road. Farmer Brown took a long look at the man and cast a longer eye over the revitalized property. Then he nodded his approval and said, "Well, friend, it looks like you and God really did some work here."
The man, wiping the sweat from his face, answered, "It's interesting you should say that, Mr. Brown. But I've got to tell you -- you should have seen this place when God had it all to Himself!"
Every week he'd go to his ranch, crank up his small tractor, and plow through the weeds with a vengeance. Then he'd spend time doing repairs on the buildings. He'd mix cement, cut lumber, replace broken windows, and work on the plumbing. It was hard work, but after several months the place began to take shape. And every time the guy put his hand to some task, he would swell with pride. He knew his labor was finally paying off.
When the project was completed, the man received a neighborly visit from a farmer who lived a few miles down the road. Farmer Brown took a long look at the man and cast a longer eye over the revitalized property. Then he nodded his approval and said, "Well, friend, it looks like you and God really did some work here."
The man, wiping the sweat from his face, answered, "It's interesting you should say that, Mr. Brown. But I've got to tell you -- you should have seen this place when God had it all to Himself!"
Philippians 2: 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.
We often don’t realize that God is always at work in our lives. Even when we work hard and use all our skills to get things done, it's His grace which is leading us. We are often concerned about the results and the final picture, But God enjoys the process, because that's where God is making us what we ought to become, and it just goes on. Let’s enjoy the journey as He leads.
We often don’t realize that God is always at work in our lives. Even when we work hard and use all our skills to get things done, it's His grace which is leading us. We are often concerned about the results and the final picture, But God enjoys the process, because that's where God is making us what we ought to become, and it just goes on. Let’s enjoy the journey as He leads.
Stanley Thomas Isac
Stanley is serving as the Pastor of Crossway Church in New Delhi, he can be reached at Pastorstanleytisac@gmail.com
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