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Have you ever stopped to think why God placed Adam in the Garden of Eden? The Bible doesn't mince any words. In Genesis 2:15, we're told that God took Adam and put him smack-dab in the middle of that incredible and lush garden "to work it" and take care of it. But let's not get ahead of ourselves. Let's go back to the day Adam first opened his eyes and saw the Garden of Eden. Can you imagine Adam's delight when he looked around for the first time and saw all the green lush beauty that surrounded him? Perhaps he was thinking how nice a tall glass of sweet tea would taste on such a warm and perfect day, or maybe he contemplated lying in a comfy hammock tied between two shade trees where he could wile away the hours reading a good book, or simply cat-napping. But then along came God with shovels, rakes, a wheelbarrow, and all sorts of strange looking earth-working things. "What's all this? Adam asked. "These are your tools." God answered. "But what do I need tools for?" Adam replied. "You will need tools to help you work." God answered patiently. "Work? What's work? Adam asked as if he'd just arrived on earth. God simply smiled as He turned to leave and said, "Work is what you will do if you want to eat!"
"For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat."
(2 Thessalonians 3: 10), NIV)
Samson loves to eat and graze grass, but he also has a strong work ethic. How did he get a strong work ethic? Since his youth, I've put a saddle on his back almost every single day and given him a job to do!
The Bible says that God's children are blessed in the city, and in the country. Years ago, I made the choice to be blessed in the country. Every day I'm surrounded by nature and animals - grass, trees, birds, dogs, cats, goats, cows, and horses - lots of horses. Besides my own horses, many of my neighbors own horses, too. But there's a difference in my horses and theirs. Most of my neighbor's horses wile away the hours in their pastures grazing day and night while sometimes catching a cat-nap here and there. They are, in essence, beautiful pasture ornaments. I'm not knocking beautiful pasture ornaments, and I've even had a few along the way, but it's not always the best thing for horses. Horses, just like people, need a job to do. While my horses do stand in their pasture and graze a good part of each day, they also work, too. Why? Work gives mental and physical purpose to a horse's life. Work (having a job) teaches a horse to do more than just consume food or think about food. Meaningful work teaches a horse how to act instead of re-act! Work also teaches a horse to have confidence. Last, but not least, work teaches a horse respect, obedience, and how to properly interact safely with people. Whether it is daily groundwork to engage their mind, or a specific riding discipline to exercise and train their body, a horse needs a job to do in order to be a smart, useful, and productive citizen!
As a retired western pleasure champ, Samson is no barrel racer by a long shot, but I like to "work" him around barrels routinely to help him with his circling exercises, and to keep him bending, flexible, and light on the forehand.
So, what about you and me? I'm of the opinion that everyone needs to work - not just horses, but people, too. I'm not talking necessarily about the kind of work that pays the rent and puts food on the table, although that's definitely got a ring to it, especially if you like a roof over your head or like to eat! No, I'm talking about more than just the job you do for financial income. I'm talking about the kind of work that engages your body, soul, and spirit - the kind of work that makes you feel productive and alive - the kind of work that gives you a reason to get up each morning. I'm talking about the kind of work that gives specific purpose to your life. For some, that work may be their gainful employment, but for others it may be work that doesn't necessarily pay the bills. Instead, it might be the sheer enjoyment and work of gardening, cooking, hiking, painting, writing, etc. Perhaps some have even dared to call this kind of life's work a mere hobby. But it is much more. It is the thing that you have chosen to put your hand to, and to do with all your might.
"Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might;..."
(Ecclesiastes 9: 10, NASB)
"Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father."
(Colossians 3: 17, NASB)
Horses aren't born wanting to work. Neither are people. There has to be a strong desire to work. My horse works with all his might because He desires to please me. I work with all my might because I desire to please God and bring Him glory.
I could have titled this newsletter, "Work Hard - Life's Short". It would have been just as true. Of course, I could also have titled this newsletter "Play Hard - Life's Short". But no matter how hard you play, playing doesn't add lasting depth to your life, or to anyone else's life, for that matter. Why? Playing hard can often be self-serving and short-lived. Only our work has the potential to serve others and even out-live us! And it's only in our work that we have the potential to bless others and perhaps even change the course of their lives for the better. But someone might ask, "What if I'm unable to physically work?" You're assuming that all meaningful work is physical. Yes, meaningful work is sometimes physical, but not always. Let me explain...
Sometimes I'm in the saddle working my horse through various riding patterns. Or sometimes I'm teaching a horse lesson, or ground-working a horse, or even mucking stalls. It's all part of having a horse ministry, and it's very physical work. But other times, such as right now, I am not riding or working a horse. Instead, I'm sitting at my desk in old cotton jammies, a bottle of water and a half-eaten protein bar nearby, while I write this horse ministry newsletter - a newsletter that has the potential to affect hundreds of lives with faith-filled encouragement, and perhaps even change someone's life. Working horses and writing this ministry newsletter are both a part of what I am called to do. Although part of my job is physical, and part is not, one does not trump the other in importance. Both of these jobs help me bring glory to God. And both of these jobs are work!
Today, the same holds true for you. If you have your strength and health, you can and should physically work with all your might for the glory of God. Why? Because you can! There are people who need your strength, your ability, your skills, your gifts, your talent, and your help. But even if you are unable to physically work, you still have an important job to do. If you are sick, wheel-chair bound, cannot speak, write, or are otherwise unable to physically share your Godly gifts with others - you are still greatly needed. There is no such thing as being handicapped in God's work-force. Even when you can not do physical work, you still have the ability to pray for others. And make no mistake about it - praying for others is real work. That's why so few choose to do it! Praying for others is one of life's toughest jobs. It requires a strong work ethic, perseverance, faithfulness, and commitment like no other. No doubt, God has given each of us all the tools we'll ever need to get any job done. So, what are you waiting for? It's time to roll up your sleeves and get down to business. Who's business? His business. Why? You guessed it...
You were created to work!
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