Always Working
GOD VALUES WORK BECAUSE HE IS ALWAYS WORKING.
Bible Reading of the Day: Read John 5:1-17.
Verse of the Day: “This should be your ambition: to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands, just as we commanded you before” (1 Thessalonians 4:11).
“Tamika!” Mom said as she looked into her daughter’s room. “It’s bedtime.”
“But, Mom,” Tamika objected, “I’m not done cleaning my room.”
Mom frowned at Tamika. “I asked you to clean your room a long time ago, Tamika.”
“I know,” Tamika said. “I started to, but then I found this!” She held up a talking stuffed toy she thought had been lost. “He was under my bed.”
Mom smiled and shook her head. “Well, I’m glad you found your toy, Tamika. But it’s bedtime now. I’ll be back in a few minutes to pray with you.”
Mom left and returned after Tamika had changed into her pajamas and brushed her teeth. Tamika knelt beside her bed, and Mom knelt next to her daughter.
“Are you ready to pray?” Mom asked.
Tamika’s eyebrows wrinkled together. “Mommy,” she said thoughtfully, “does God stay up past my bedtime?”
Mom smiled. “Yes, God stays up past your bedtime. The Bible says he never sleeps or takes naps. He’s always ready to listen to your prayers.”
“He’s open twenty-four hours a day!” Tamika said. “Like that store on the corner.”
Mom chuckled. “I guess so,” she said.
“Doesn’t he get tired?”
“No,” Mom said. “Because he’s God. He’s always awake, always listening for your prayers, always working, always waiting to help you.” Mom looked around at Tamika’s room, which was still messy. “And he never stops working,” she said, her eyes twinkling, “just because he found an old toy!”
Tamika’s mouth dropped open as she realized her mom was talking about her. Then she smiled again. “I’ll clean my room real good tomorrow, OK, Mommy?”
“OK,” Mom said. She kissed Tamika on the cheek. Then they both folded their hands and bowed their heads while Tamika started praying.
TO DISCUSS: Does God ever stop working? Is he ever “off duty”? Why does God command us to work? Why does God value work? Unlike God, we sometimes get tired. God wants us to take breaks to rest from work, but he also wants us to take breaks from our rest in order to work! Do you think hard work is right? Why or why not?
TO PRAY: “Heavenly Father, we need your balanced attitude about work and rest. Help us to achieve the right balance.”