Good and Worthless Pursuits

For Thursday, September 1, 2005
Proverbs 12:11

Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread,
but he who follows worthless pursuits lacks sense.

This proverb distinguishes between the persons who seem to have the good luck of keeping work and having enough provisions and those who keep running into the bad fortune of not finding the right job or getting the fortunate break. I once commented to a relative about another relative's "bad luck" in the workplace. He responded that sometimes we make our own luck.

We all experience bad fortune one time or another. Circumstances occur beyond our control. But if we continually bounce from job to job; if we keep having the bad luck of working for the wrong boss or with the wrong colleagues; if we can't seem to find anyone to appreciate our "unique" gifts, we need to do some serious self-examination.

Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread because he is not ever looking at his neighbor's land wishing he had the good soil and the tools of his neighbor. He is not day dreaming about the career that is not his gift or calling. He may dream, but he works hard to reach that dream and works diligently now so as to prove himself when the time comes. If a man is married, he must place the welfare of his family first. He can be sure that his calling includes providing for his family.

How do we know if what we are pursuing is a worthless pursuit? We ask. We ask those who know us well; we ask those whom we think have "made it"; we pray to God for wisdom; we commend our dreams to God. Whatever our pursuit may be, it must be for the glory of God and to serve God.