One day last month in Thailand, Edwin and I were asked to remove seaweed from a pond that was on the farm. I have to be honest; I really, really did not want to get into this pond. There were several reasons I didn’t want to get into the pond, some of which are: the pond had an unpleasant aroma; the pond did not look clean; I don’t like not being able to see what is beneath me, and I had no idea what was in this pond. I was not excited to get into this pond, but I knew that this was an opportunity to serve our contact. I knew I needed to get into this pond and complete the task.
I climbed into the pond and instantly my feet were swallowed by the muddy substance that lay at the bottom. I could smell the unpleasant musty aroma the pond was forcing into the air. Standing on one leg, I used the other leg to move the seaweed that had settled at the bottom of the pond, to the surface. Then, I was able to use my hands to put the seaweed into a small boat. When the boat was full Edwin and I would guide the boat to the shore and throw out the seaweed. During this process I remember seeing all these chunks of who knows what floating around me; I couldn’t help but hope that there wasn’t a sewage pipe running into this pond. As I continued to remove seaweed from this pond, I started thinking, despite all the unpleasant things that came with completing this task, I was glad to be serving the contact, and overall be obedient to God. I was able to focus on God and tell Him that I was doing this task for Him.
Situations or tasks that occur during life are not always pleasant, but they can be made pleasant through glorify God. We are called to give thanks and glory to God in all that we do. “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31). “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him” (Colossians 3:17).
I would be glad if I didn’t ever have to jump in a pond like that and do that task again. For that matter, I would be glad if I never had any unpleasant tasks or situations arise in life. But, the reality of life is that unpleasant situations or tasks are going to arise. The question we must ask ourselves is, when these situations or tasks arise, how will we handle them? Will we complain? Will we walk away from the situation or task with a hard and ungrateful heart? Will we even complete the task? Or, will we be obedient in giving thanks and glory to God in whatever we do?
**I am thankful that I have legs that I can stand on, arms that can lift, eyes that can see, air to breath, and so much more!!!
