If you have worked around people long enough, or definitely if you have children, you will eventually run into the situation where those that have been given something to do, only want to do what they have to do, and not what they were supposed, or meant, to do. You can call it many things, a lack of responsibility, or ambition, or motivation, or whatever. But we all know those who have done this, and admit it, there have been times we have also only wanted to do what we have to do to get by and not what we should do.
I first thought this is a new symptom of our ever-degrading society but got a new perspective on this whole issue by one question posed to me, and realized this is one of the oldest issues known to mankind. My daughter came to me and asked, "Why did God like Abel's offering better than Cain's?" This of course is a reference to Adam and Eve's sons in the Bible. Abel was a shepherd and gave an offering to God from the first-born of his flock. Cain was a farmer and gave to God an offering from his harvest. God liked Abel's offering better than Cain's, which made Cain a bit upset and the first recorded murder took place. So, why did God prefer Abel's to Cain's? Now I'm sure there are deep theological answers to this, but I'm pretty simple-minded, so it came to me - it was because of "supposed to do" versus "only what I have to do".
Before the fall, when Adam and Eve were in the Garden of Eden, God gave them the Garden to be the caretakers. They named the animals and were to watch over them and all creation, and in return they had no wants or needs and hung out with God Himself. Then the enemy came and they were turned out of the Garden, never to go back. As a result, the animals became wilder and man then had to till the ground and work the land for his food, and for his very existence.
Now, fast forward and Adam and Eve has sons, Cain and Abel.
Abel took up being a shepherd. In other words, he continued on in what God had intended for man to do, watching over creation. Abel tended animals and took care of them. He was doing what we were supposed to do before the fall. He was doing what he was supposed to be doing. You may say, well, he was killing the sheep for food, but no, the Church Fathers have taught us meat was not eaten until after Noah's flood. (Study it out Bereans).
On the other hand, Cain was doing farming for food to get by. He was tilling the ground and trying to raise food, as they had to do after the fall from original grace. Does this mean his tomatoes were bland and mushy and his corn had worms? No, not at all. It just means he was doing only what he had to do, and was not doing what he was supposed to do, what we were meant to do.
And the rest you know...
So, you see what I'm getting at? Since we got kicked out of the Garden, we have been trying to get away with doing only what we have to do. Needless to say, if you believe in God, that doesn't please Him as much as those that do what they are supposed to, or meant to do. And what is that but to serve Him and to do His will - in return for our eternal happiness.
And this doesn't apply only to work, but to every aspect of our lives. Do we try to live as Adam in the Garden, staying in communion with God, taking care of and overseeing every aspect of our lives as He would have it? Or are we just doing what we have to do to get by after the Garden, including in our spiritual lives? Do you feel envious of those you see who are always joyous and happy and working cheerfully? What about those who others consider righteous or "holy"? Ever feel like, how come no one sees me that way? You could very well be a Cain, instead of an Abel.
Think about it.
One last thought, I love farmers so don't beat me up. I'm not saying you should be a zookeeper and not a farmer. Farming is very hard work and a very noble work, as you are able to bring forth good and wonderful things from a ground that was cursed because of us. I have the utmost respect for all farmers and would love to have that life myself instead of the nine to five office world.
What it comes down to for us now - Do what you are supposed to do, do it cheerfully, stay in communion with God, and do it all for His glory. And the rewards for what you then sew will be Heavenly.
Have a great life.
No comments:
Post a Comment