No Rest...

Have you ever finished a task and expected the sweet reward of a job well done only to find out the work is NEVER done. More work is lining up just behind the task you just completed? I know at camp, though I love my job, the current camp always leads to the into next camp. The work is never finished - alas this is job security but when is the celebration time? Ask a mother when her rest time comes from a young toddler or a doctor when the patients are all healed? It seems in life we realize that we always need to be on our toes and ready for the next thing.

I was reading about Gideon in the bible and was amazed by the story. Here is a man chosen by God to do great things and great things he did. God worked wonders through his life, saving all of Israel and securing peace for 30 years. BUT, interestingly, after the great victory by God's hand against thousands of enemies Gideon completely loses it. At the end of a decisive battle, Gideon is asked by the people to be their leader -- he refuses and says just give me one earring from each of your plunder. He takes the earrings and ... builds an idol for the people to worship (and they did).

Gideon did the job for God and lost focus, he sold out to the evil he had just defeated. Gideon needed to stay on task - to not let his guard down and keep up the work of the Lord. What about us? If Gideon could fall so easily, we need to be even more vigilant about focusing our every effort on the call of the Lord. There is no time to let your guard down and celebrate - we need to celebrate on the job.

I encourage you to stay on top of your faith journey each day. Be particularly aware of those times when a big task is just completed or in the midst of celebration - times when you let your guard down. These are the times of our greatest falls. It happens to great men and women every day so it can happen to you. No time to rest but remember God provides constant energy to make it all happen.

Be strong, and be on top of it,
Portage Dave