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DO YOU GIVE OR TAKE?

  • Writer: Olufunmilayo Adekusibe
    Olufunmilayo Adekusibe
  • May 9, 2024
  • 2 min read

Today’s Readings:

Ezekiel 47:1-9,12

Psalm 30:2-6,11-13

John 4:43-54

Statistics show that we spend one-third of our lives at work.

  • In 79 years, the average person spends:

  • 26 years sleeping.

  • 13 years working (24% of a typical working period of 50 years).

  • 11 years of viewing screens (TVs and mobile devices).

  • 4 years, 6 months eating.

  • The rest is spent on vacations, relationships and socializing, exercise, school and idling away.


This means that a third of your final judgment will be based on what you spent your time working on. Knowing this fact, how does your work reveal your faith in God? In our time on earth, we can choose to either be fruitful or fruitless, be productive or just waste away as life passes by. The man at the pool of Bethsaida has suffered a debilitating illness for 38 years—imagine ‘wasting’ the most productive part of your life to ill-health. May this not be your lot in Jesus’ name. Jesus knew how long he had waited for healing and asked, “Do you want to be well again?” This question is necessary because some of us forget our need for healing and begin to wallow in self-pity or even use our ill-health as a scheme to extort others.


You are meant to be like the water flowing from the Temple that God revealed to Ezekiel. The water signifies your Baptism by which you are washed clean of your sins. It also represents your daily drinking from the fountain of God’s Word (the Scriptures). It represents a life of holiness by which we stay away from sin and its harmful effects on our lives. It represents your work, where you pour and convert your time, talent and treasure into self-giving and productivity. Do not work just to make a living and get paid (as important as this is in our economy). Work to make a life—give and do not just take from others. Herein lays true fulfilment and the readiness to face your Maker on the last day.

                                                                                    JUDE-MARY OWOH



To surrender your life to Christ, say this prayer aloud.  “Father, I acknowledge my sin against You. I repent and ask for forgiveness, in the name of Jesus. I surrender to the Lordship of Jesus. By the power of Your Holy Spirit, take control of my heart and lead me in Your path of righteousness. Thank You, Lord.”

If you said the prayer, Congratulations! Prayerfully look for a living church and report to the resident pastor or priest.



Prayer:

  1. May God grant you the courage to choose meaningful over mindless work.

  2. May the fruits of your labour enrich the lives of others just as water gives life to everything it touches.

  3. May your cup of blessings be filled and run over in joy and fulfilment through Christ our Lord. Amen.

  4. Lord, wash me clean once more in the waters of Your mercy. Never permit me to relapse into sinful ways. Use my hands, my mind and all I have to do good for your glory and heal others through me in Jesus' name. Amen.

 
 
 

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