The BasicsSample

PERSEVERANCE

I have always had an odd respect for mules. They are stubborn and disobedient sometimes, but they can get the work done. These days, farmers do not depend on mules to plow their fields, but there was a time when a plow mule was more valuable than a racehorse. That doesn’t mean the mule was more expensive but more valuable for the common man. A racehorse may never win a race or even finish in the money, but you could depend on a mule to plow the land and make a crop. The mule wasn’t fast or flashy, but the mule was dependable. The mule would work day after day and get the job done.

Race horses have their place, to be sure. They are beautiful, powerful animals, and they are exciting to watch run. But a champion racehorse is a rare breed. You can plow a field with almost any mule.

Something attracts us to the “racehorses” of any arena of life. We love the superstar athlete, the Oscar-winning actor, and the most famous musicians. We even see that bleeding over into our spiritual lives. There are a handful of Christian leaders who are known and appreciated by much of the Christian community. This is true of preachers, teachers, authors, and musicians. Though sometimes our “spiritual stars” are not what they seem to be, they are often gifted, sincere, genuine servants of God who are a gift to the Body of Christ. But most of us aren’t racehorses. We are not, and will never be, super-gifted superstars in any arena of Christian life and ministry.

We can, however, do the work we are Called to do. We can show up every day. We can be faithful. We are Called to be witnesses, share the Gospel, make disciples, let our light shine, keep going, and be “Ambassadors for Christ.”

We are Called to do the Work. We can’t all be superstars, but we don’t have to be. Even with “spiritual superstars,” God gives the increase. We may feel like we have much more in common with a mule than a racehorse, and we may well be right. We must remember that a mule is perfect for working the garden to receive a harvest. A mule can do the essential work.

We don’t need to think about what we can’t or are not equipped to do. We also should not spend our time watching and waiting for some spiritual superstar to do what we can do. We should do what we can do. We are responsible for the stewardship of the gifts and resources we have been entrusted with but not with the gifts and resources we don’t have.

As servants of the King, we should arise daily to be faithful. We are not Called to stardom but to labor in God’s Harvest Field. We just need to show up and do the Work. As long as it is the day, as long as we have the opportunity, let us persevere in our service to the Master.

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