We Have Work to Do

My grand-daughters, aged two and four, live seven hours away. We don’t get to see them very often. On the long weekends we do see them, it is easy to keep them well behaved, and it is a blessing to be with them.


Barney to the Rescue!

 

A year ago Brenda and I babysat them for a week. The first few days were a lot of fun, but then boredom set in. When told what not to do, they would go do it. Telling them not to put a fork in an electrical outlet or not to pull the dogs’ tails only seemed to encourage them.

 

Fortunately we found that giving them something to do, instead of telling them what not to do, solved the problem. Barney the Dinosaur coloring books and trips to the zoo helped us maintain sanity!

 

Trips to the Zoo Worked Too!

Today’s story, Deuteronomy 5:12-22, is second half of God giving Moses, and hence, the Israelites, the Ten Commandments. Mostly, these commandments tell us what not to do.

 

Like my grand-daughters who have a difficult time not doing what they are told, I have a difficult time following the Ten Commandments. I see a sign that says, “Wet Paint, Do Not Touch”, and I want to touch the paint to see if it really is wet. I have a hard time when told not to do something.

 

Perhaps I take solace in knowing I am not the only person like me. But I take more solace in knowing that Jesus died so I don’t have to worry about not being able to do certain things.

 

But, if I am not supposed to do certain things, what am I supposed to do?

 

Just like I gave my granddaughters something to do to keep them out of trouble, God gives us work to do.

 

We are to “go and make disciples” and “teach them to obey.” We are to “love the Lord” and to “love our neighbors as ourselves.” And we are to “take and eat”, that is take communion!

 

Yes, through Jesus, we have work to do.

 

That is why we Pray, Give and Go!