What do you see?

Scriptures: “Listen to me, O Jacob, Israel, whom I have called; I am he; I am the first and I am the last. My own hand laid the foundations of the earth, and my right hand spread out the heavens; when I summon them, they all stand up together.” (Isaiah 48:12-13)

A man walked by a construction site and saw two men working there. He was curious what they were doing. So, he walked up to one of them and asked him, “What are you doing?” This worker replied, “Laying bricks.”

Then this man walked to the other man working at a little distance away and asked the second worker, “What are you doing?” This worker stood up and, with his eyes wide open and excitement in his voice, said, “I am building a big, beautiful cathedral!”

This was an amazing answer. Both of them were workers for that construction project, hired to do the tasks they were told to. And, yet, the two of them saw something totally different out of the same job. One saw only that mechanical, mundane, and physically exhausting job. To him, every day was just another day and every job was just another job.

But, to the other guy, he saw beyond the repetitive hard labor the beauty and the impact their work would have on their community. Every day was a special day because he had something to look forward to. Every day was a blessing because he was able to participate in something special, something significant. His work was no ordinary work and that brought him joy and excitements!

What a contrast between the two of them. I couldn’t help wondering how much we realize the significance and impact of things we do everyday and consider mundane. Bible says that our Lord God is the Designer and the Architect of this awesome and beautiful universe we live in. But, He is more than the designer and the architect of this universe. He is also the designer and the architect of the lives of each one of us.

In the book of Jeremiah, God told Jeremiah that, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” (Jeremiah 1:5) Before we even existed, God already knew us, each of us. More than that, He already set us apart and appointed us for His purpose. You see, we did not come to this world by accident. We came with a purpose, and a mission, as planned.

Our problem is we often get caught up in all the busyness and in all the motions and commotions without realizing that everything we are going through are actually all parts of a bigger picture, a picture God has drawn for our lives. Yes, it is true that we have to go through all the steps and motions. But, if we can see the big picture; if we can see the role and the significance of everything and everyone that comes our way in life, how different will we feel in moving from one day to another, from one thing to another? Will we be complaining and feeling discontent still? Or will we be excited about every new day and new thing given us?

What do you see in the life you have right now? In your work, your family, your church, your walk with our Lord Jesus? Is this just another day? Or, is this another awesome day? Feeling down by your workload? Getting exhausted because of all the demands for your energy and resources? Our Lord has set us apart and, for this, every day and everything takes on a new meaning, a meaning that has eternal implications. More than this, He is with us through them all. So, let’s not be weary. Let’s first seek His guidance to understand what that picture He has for us is and let’s learn to enjoy it and make the best of it, His way!

Prayer Requests:
For all those burdened with work and responsibilities

Prayer:
Our gracious Lord, You have promised us that, if we come to You with all our wearies and burdens, You will give us rest. So, allow us to lift up all our burdens to You. Open our eyes so we may see the glorious plan You have set for us and help us to live each day You bless us to the fullest Your way because we pray in the wonderful name of our Lord Jesus, Amen!