LABOR, PAY AND PRAY

Ever know anyone that complained about being paid too much? He or she might complain about the taxes, but I doubt they would be upset about a wage that was very generous for the labor required.

In terms of this life of course, most people have enough trouble just making a living, let alone making a great income. And there is nothing to suggest that this inequity in terms of compensation will ever change. Our Lord hardly indicated it either when he made the comment about how the poor you would have with you always.

Still that doesn’t keep our mind and hearts from wanting more. That is only natural to me. But does that mean if we are unhappy with our lot in life we can expect God to suddenly work a miracle like allowing us to win the lottery.

I have known a few, not many, but a few people who were very caring and generous with their resources. Logically to me if anyone would truly deserve such blessings it would be someone who would care enough to use the majority to help his or her fellow human being.

However I haven’t noticed that being the way God has worked. He might love the hilarious giver, but his love doesn’t always translate into making such people rich in this life.

I think at times our “practical” side in terms of reciprocity impacts our view of our spiritual life. We become seduced into viewing eternity and salvation as some form of reward instead of a gift.

I know the people I’ve talked to that regard Heaven as a place where all one’s dreams come true. It is a sadly a view driven by self-absorbed motives. And I wish at times that was the truth. I wouldn’t mind looking forward to being with my lord and savior in a place where I spent eternity doing nothing, but whatever I wanted.

But the spirit of God restrains me with a different view. In Heaven it is the place where we shall be with the Lord’s and belong to him totally and completely. It will be his pleasure and will that we shall follow and not that of our heart.

I see our Lord as very loving and caring in that regard. I don’t consider such surrender will at all be boring or dull.

In this life however, until that moment of union comes, we must labor and learn to deal with whatever pay is our portion. Pray? Absolutely. For the wisdom and strength to remain faithful in whatever state we are in and to listen if God wants to lead us in a different direction.

And to always keep the fire of faith burning in the joyous anticipation of when the flesh will not be so dominant a tyrant over our desires. I pray we all find the sight to see clearly when the bills and needs leave us wondering if there is more to life than survival.