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Many people in the world today feel unappreciated and discouraged because
their efforts go unnoticed. It is important that we realize that our work
should not be done unto man, but it should be done unto the Lord because it
is God that gives us the blessings and the reward for being faithful in
that task. The Bible tells us to do our good deeds in secret and not seek
recognition, and because we do our work unto the Lord and not unto man, God
will reward us openly that all may see the blessings of the Lord. (Matthew 6:1)
I hope you will be encouraged and uplifted by this simple message that
shows how our good works do make a big difference in the world, even though
others may not notice them right away. If you feel unappreciated at your
place of employment or just in life generally, then I hope this story will
encourage your heart to continue on and know that you do make a big
difference in this world.
KEEPER OF THE SPRING
The late Peter Marshall, an eloquent speaker and for several years the
chaplain of the United States Senate, used to love to tell the story of
"The keeper of the spring," a quiet forest dweller who lived high above an
Austrian village along the eastern slopes of the Alps.
The old gentleman had been hired many years ago by a young town council to
clear away the debris from the pools of water up in the mountain crevices
that fed the lovely spring flowing through their town. With faithful,
silent regularity, he patrolled the hills, removed the leaves and branches,
and wiped away the silt that would otherwise choke and contaminate the
fresh flow of water.
By and by, the village became a popular attraction for vacationers.
Graceful swans floated along the crystal clear spring, the millwheels of
various businesses located near the water turned day and night, farmlands
were naturally irrigated, in the view from restaurants was picturesque
beyond description.
Years passed. One evening the town council met for its semi-annual
meeting. As they reviewed the budget, one man's eye caught the salary
figure being paid to the obscure keeper of the spring. Said the keeper of
the purse, "Who is the old man? Why do we keep him on year after year? No
one ever sees him. For all we know the strange ranger of the hills is
doing us no good. He isn't necessary any longer!" By a unanimous vote,
they dispensed with the old man's services.
For several weeks nothing changed. By early autumn the trees began to
shed their leaves. Small branches snapped off and fell into the pools,
hindering the rushing flow of sparkling water. One afternoon someone
noticed a slight yellowish-brown tint in the spring. A couple days later
that water was much darker. Within another week, a slimy film covered
sections of the water along the banks and a foul odor was soon detected.
The mill wheels moved more slowly, some finally ground to a halt. Swans
left as did the tourists. Clammy fingers of disease and sickness reached
deeply into the village.
Quickly, the embarrassed council called a special meeting. Realizing
their gross error in judgment, they hired back the old keeper of the
spring...and within a few weeks the veritable river of life began to clear
up. The wheels started to turn, and new life returned to the hamlet in
the Alps once again.
By Charles R. Swindoll
It does not matter what the job is that you are fulfilling, but it is very
important that you continue in that job as long as God has placed you
there. Never allow the enemy to discourage you to think that your tasks
are all in vain and not making a difference. God is the judge and He would
not place you in a certain position, unless that position needed your help
to make it better. (1 Corinthians 12:18-23) (Romans 12:3-8)
If you have been tempted to give up and quit the job that you are doing
because you are not being recognized, I encourage you to endure and
continue on because it is the Lord that sees your task and it is God that
blesses and promotes. Never look to your boss for your promotion, but
rather do your job to the best of your abilities and you will see God
promote and prosper you to heights you never thought possible.
(Galatians 6:9-10) (Deuteronomy 8:18) (1 Corinthians 2:9)
Read and meditate on these scriptures:
Matthew 16:24-27 Jesus says, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him
deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. “For whoever desires
to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will
find it. “For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and
loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? “For
the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and
then He will reward each according to his works.”
1 Samuel 16:7 “But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance
or at the height of his stature, because I have refused him. For the LORD
does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the
LORD looks at the heart.”
1 Corinthians 12:18-23 “But now God has set the members, each one of them,
in the body just as He pleased. And if they were all one member, where
would the body be? But now indeed there are many members, yet one body.
And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; nor again the
head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” No, much rather, those members
of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary. And those members of
the body which we think to be less honorable, on these we bestow greater
honor; and our unpresentable parts have greater modesty.”
1 Corinthians 2:9 “But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard,
Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared
for those who love Him.”
All scriptures can be found in the New King James Version.
In Christ’s Service,
Dwayne Savaya
Gods Work Ministry |
