Pump It Up! Live Elated, Not Deflated Through Disappointing Daysنموونە

Top-class Dinghy

Jesus chose to fully engage in many menial tasks, and he frequently went the extra mile to demonstrate love to those around him through practical acts of service. He wasn’t seeking fanfare or applause, but was beautifully modelling genuine servanthood motivated by love. Philippians 2: 5-8 says that though he was equal to God, Jesus didn’t cling to that position. Jesus set aside his divine status to become a servant. What a mind-blowing example Almighty God gives us! Sounds a lot like Jesus modelled donkey-work to me.

Donkeys, admittedly, are not the most exciting of all the beasts in the animal kingdom! In the Bible though, donkeys played an important yet understated role. Mary is thought to have travelled on a donkey to the stable where she gave birth to Jesus. Jesus himself rode on a donkey during his ‘triumphal entry’ to Jerusalem. There was even a talking donkey in Numbers 22 (not to be confused with the irritating one in Shrek!). There may not be a lot of hype associated with the humble donkey, but their role should be valued more than it typically is.

Lots of us engage in regular ‘donkey work’, and I believe God is pleased when he sees us engaging in it as service to him. It’s not for our glory or applause. It’s partly out of necessity that a job needs doing - homes need cleaning, bricks need laying, people need caring for, grass needs mowing, etc. But donkey work is so much more, because God’s love can be demonstrated very profoundly even within these mundane tasks. One of our scriptures for today, Colossians 3:23, directs us to put our whole hearts into the work we do, as we are working for God, not for human masters. Even our ordinary, donkey work tasks can be done for God’s glory.

Donkeys don’t seek fame and recognition as they know God sees it all - and it’s his assessment of our hearts and motives that’s the most important thing. God highly values donkey work, and one day it will all be fully rewarded. Faithfulness in everyday tasks can be one of your biggest assets. We can have communion with God through serving him in these small ways, bringing glory to him by doing what Mother Teresa reportedly referred to as ‘small things with great love.’

God’s heart delights in donkeys in dinghies. Don’t let opportunities to serve him in these small, but highly significant ways pass you by!

Reflection

Are you using everyday ‘donkey-work’ tasks as a vehicle to love and serve God or are you fed up and feel it’s too much hassle?!