“Where there are no oxen, the manger is clean, but abundant crops come by the strength of the ox,” Proverbs 14:4 (ESV). Simply said, oxen make a mess while providing abundant work. A visit to any construction site provides the same lesson. Dust and debris, piles of materials, noisy machinery, and scurrying workers may seem confusing to the unseasoned observer, but productivity requires a certain level of disorder and mayhem. A home without children is easily kept neat and clean, but a growing family’s domicile can look like a small twister just passed through. Much of life is spent cleaning up the messes progress requires. The same is true of our spiritual life. The unwelcome tasks of shoveling the mess out of stalls, pitchforking the hay and hauling feed must be done. Holy Father, thank you for the opportunities to extend Your Kingdom, I do not resent cleaning the stalls. The Joy of the Lord is my strength!
A serious pursuit of godliness requires an equally serious renunciation of worldliness. Too often, we measure spirituality with false scales. While being wisely selective with our public vices we are less so with our private attitudes and perspectives. In reality, it is the thoughts and intents of the heart where the greatest battles must be waged; our actions will ultimately align with the condition of our hearts. Lord God, You know me inside out, You are not fooled by human facades. Plow my heart with Your Word and Spirit and leave nothing unturned. Refresh my inward man that I may outwardly glorify You in all places at all times.
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