“Sow your seed in the morning, and at evening let your hands not be idle, for you do not know which will succeed, whether this or that, or whether both will do equally well.” Ecclesiastes 11:6
As you may, or may not know, I am an early riser, and this verse gives me something to hang my hat on when people shake their heads at when they learn that my day typically begins around 4:30 AM. It is not that I love getting up early; it just happens, farm boy and cows. While living in Haiti, getting to the office in Petionville by 5 AM meant that I could drive down Delmas with very little traffic to deal with; a good thing. Leaving my apartment later than 6 AM increased the drive time by thirty minutes at a minimum as vehicles and hordes of pedestrians clogged the streets.
Working in the morning when the mind is fresh is generally best for me as my creative juices just seem to slow down in the late afternoon. It would seem that this scripture would encourage each of us to work and not be idle from the break of day until sun is setting; stay busy with the time you have been given. Through all of our labors, do the best we can with what we have been given. Each of us has been given various talents and endless opportunities to serve our Triune God. It doesn’t matter if we are young or old; our time and talents are so valuable for doing His work in His world.
Thank you for using your time and talents to feed His children in Haiti; whether it be morning, noon or night; thank you for answering and following His call to feed His children. I close today with the words to the hymn ‘God of mercy, God of grace’ that was written by Henry F. Lyte in 1834.
“God of mercy, God of grace, show the brightness of Thy face; shine upon us, Savior, shine, fill Thy church with light divine, and Thy saving health extend unto earth's remotest end. Let the people praise Thee, Lord! Be by all that live adored; let the nations shout and sing Glory to their Savior King, at Thy feet their tribute pay, and Thy holy will obey. Let the people praise Thee, Lord! Earth shall then her fruits afford, God to man His blessing give, man to God devoted live; all below and all above one in joy and light and love.”
Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen.
May God be with you,
Jay