By Bruce Wilcox, lay minister in the Cariboo
I used to work in sawmills mainly, and the kind of work involved was usually quite repetitious. A lot of the work in our world tends to be like that it seems…and can become so automatic that one doesn’t even have to think while doing it. I remember wondering at times if God could really use me for anything worthwhile there, because many of the days seemed tediously predictable and boring.
Then an interaction, or situation, or conversation about God would occur with one or more of my fellow workers that I would just know was brought about by the Lord, guided by Him, and blessed by Him. I would also realize that these episodes were actually opportunities that were in themselves the results of something else. Prayer. Putting more of that time to good use by talking to God, pondering His Word, and just wanting to know Him more and bring Him into every situation every day.
It occurs to me that David also had a pretty monotonous job looking after sheep day after day after day…. yet it obviously became a hugely important time spiritually for him as well. Quiet time to “be still, and know that I am God.” Time used by the Lord to prepare David for the future that only God can see. It really shows us that it doesn’t matter what your present occupation or situation in life might be, God can and will work to produce opportunities for us to trust Him, and thereby in turn prove His faithfulness to us.
God did that for David by occasionally allowing a lion or a bear to attack the flock, and each time through the faith and courage He had nurtured in David, He enabled him to rescue the sheep and kill these predators. And through these experiences of God’s faithfulness David knew that God would also be faithful in an even bigger crisis when it came – namely, facing the Philistine giant Goliath on a very big stage in front of thousands of spectators. Because he already knew that even in the lesser things, the day to day things, “the Battle is the Lord’s.” Always!
So we see David the shepherd boy actually running toward Goliath there in the valley of Elah. (1Sam 17:48), when everyone else including King Saul were very afraid.
So let’s all really be encouraged in knowing that God works not just through pastors and preachers, but actually in the Bible mostly through workers, farmers, homemakers, business people, fishermen, and shepherds. And to know no matter who we are, where we are or what we are doing, “The eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him…” (2Chr 16:9).
