Doing Work

Day 21 of 265...

Genesis 27-29

Key Passages/Thoughts:

Gen 29:28-30 - "And Jacob did just that. He finished the week of celebration, and Laban gave him his daughter Rachel as his wife.  And Laban gave his slave Bilhah to his daughter Rachel as her slave.  Jacob slept with Rachel also, and indeed, he loved Rachel more than Leah. And he worked for Laban another seven years. "

How willing am I to work for something I want?  I must be honest...there  are many times in my life when I ask God for something and expect it to be given to me automatically.  However, I was reminded, by reading this passage today, that there are times that I need to work for what I am wanting from God.  For instance, let's say that God brings to my attention that I need more patience.  I usually follow that request up with a prayer and expect to all of a sudden have more patience.  The reality is a bit different, though.  God will point out that I need more patience.  I pray toward that end.  Then, the opportunities to practice patience come at me like a freight train, and I get flattened like  a pancake.  Jacob worked for 14 years (7 before and 7 after to fulfill his commitment) in order to achieve his goal, which was having Rachel as his wife.  As I begin to look at my life, there are only two things that I've done (or worked on) for that long.  First, my relationship with my wife.  We started dating over 15 years ago, and our relationship is something that I work on every day.  Although I may not have success every day, due to my hard headedness, it is something I will always work tirelessly to improve.  The only other thing I have done for that long is go to school.  In the end, I received a degree, which would mean that my work ended in achievement.  As I begin to look at other areas in my life, I begin to realize that there are areas that need improvement, and I have to be willing to put in the work, even if it takes 14 years.  God give me endurance and motivation to achieve the goals You have for me.  Help me to stay focused on what is important and not give in to the temptation to quit or become distracted.