Thursday, April 25

THURSDAY, APRIL 25, 2019

 

“Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty,

    but from the strength of an ox come abundant harvests.” (Proverbs 14:4)

 

 

While this verse has a clear meaning in agricultural terms, it also extends to human relationships.  The Proverb speaks to the beauty and fullness that emerge from chaos, confusion, and messiness in this world.

 

This verse carries special significance in this year where many folks have taken action towards tidying up, following the pattern of Marie Kondo and her books.  Her method encourages us to evaluate whether something “sparks joy” and then reduce our positions according to that standard.  Throughout Christian teaching, there have been movements towards seeking simplicity as a means of focusing efforts on seeking God rather than goods.  Simplicity does allow us to avoid entanglements, worry, and frustration and to embrace the simple joys that God gives us in healthy food, the beauty of nature, the peace of sleep, the laughter of friends and family, and the joy of movement.

 

While Marie Kondo’s method may help us to avoid overly cluttered homes, there are limitations to applying this idea to human relationships.  We all struggle in our interactions with one person or another, and we may even surmise that limiting or even ending that relationship may “spark joy.”  Today’s verse -- and the deeper application -- cautions us against this self-protective thinking.

 

In the Proverb, the “empty” manger remains free of filth, disease, and chaos.  Yet, farmers must accept and embrace those elements in order to enjoy the “abundant harvests” that come “from the strength of an ox.”

 

Similarly, in our human relationships, we find “abundant harvests” in persevering in our relationships, continuing to show love and to avoid contempt.  By the power of the Holy Spirit, we may persevere in loving even difficult people, and the “abundant harvest” from those relationships may be the testimony of God’s love, leading to changed lives.  In addition, God shapes and refines our character as we persevere in love.  We become more mature and better able to experience “pure joy” through “trials of many kinds.” (James 1:2)

 

In what ways could you trust God to embrace the chaos of human relationships today?  How could you pray for His strength in loving others and bringing forth the fruit of “abundant harvests”?

 

 

Lord God, thank You for sending Your Holy Spirit and bearing Your fruit in our lives.  We all struggle with difficult relationships and desire that You strengthen us to persevere in faithfulness and love.  Give us opportunities to grow in maturity and character as we invest in the lives of others.  Bring forth the fruit of changed lives through this faithfulness.  Thank You for loving others through us.  In Jesus’s mighty Name, amen.

 

 

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