VIEWPOINT

John and Denise Kashorek have ministered to the communities of Potsdam and Massena, New York for over 20 years.  It was splendid to have them visiting Cedar Grove last Sunday.  In the midst of a difficult field, the Kashoreks have shown great faithfulness as well as effectiveness.  We are very thankful for our partnership with them. 

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John’s message on “preach-ing the word with patience” reminded me of an article I read recently. 

“Frank L. Cox’s advice to preachers in any kind of problem situation was, ‘Preach the Word.’

“‘I’m having trouble getting members to work.’  Brother Cox said, ‘Preach the Word.’

“‘Brother Cox, a few brethren are undermining the work and creating division.  What should I do?’ Brother Cox said, ‘Preach the Word.’

“A clear message.  Don’t take sides in congregational squabbles. Don’t spend time chasing down rumors.  Preach the Word.  That will solve most problems” (Preacher Talk, from Faulkner University).

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Around 1960 Phillip Knight quit his job and put his future on a vision for a new kind of athletic shoe company.  With $1000 in start-up capital he began buying shoes from Japan and selling them out of the trunk of his car. A couple of years later he took on a business partner, his former college coach, who made design modifications to the shoes.  The idea eventually took off. Knight's company, NIKE, is now worth billions;     it   all  started  with  an idea put to work.

In 1730 a church in Sussex, England posted this sign: 

A vision without a task is but a dream; a task without a vision is drudgery; a vision and a task is the hope of the world.

The truth behind these words is profound.  When our work becomes drudgery it is generally because we have lost sight of the vision God has given us for ministry — we forget the eternal significance of our work.

Personally, selling shoes out of the back of a car sounds dull to me — but Knight's own vision transformed the drudgery of this task into an adventure that led to astounding success.

Maybe your job seems like drudgery sometimes.  What job doesn't?  Don't lose sight of the vision that God has given you. Focus not on what you're doing as much as what you're accomplishing.

Paul said, “Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:58).

I look forward to seeing you Sunday with a Bible, a smile and a positive word!                                                                                                            RA