I couldn’t remember the last time I felt the way I did. Maybe years ago when my commitment to Christ had yet not been settled. We as a nation and I might even go as so far as to say, the world had acknowledged that there was an epidemic requiring us to stay home – to be still. We as individuals needed to find a new and quiet way of life for right now or else. Ok, I’ll say it. It could be death for you or someone else. Oh, does that sound absurd? Yes. Nevertheless, it was true. I’m not sure what this unexpected confinement had produced for my neighbors, friends, and yes, even family members, but may I take the liberty to share what it produced for me that day?
I’d been strolling past one of two bookshelves in our home for several years. Sometime in the past two or three, I realized that a sudden shift had taken place and what I thought had always been books of order, suddenly had become a place of disorder and haphazard confusion. For months I’d go out to the balcony at least twice a day and subconsciously say, “One of these days I’m going to pay attention to this and straighten it all out.” But, really? Oh, who had the time for that? Certainly not me. I only had the time to complain. Not that day. Being still afforded the time. I’d paced around our hardwood floors from hallway to hallway, room to room, and realized that the time had arrived for those bookshelves to meet me face to face.
I pulled out the Pledge. Pledge is a furniture polish I had purchased months ago with good intentions. On a side note, I chose it because it’s what my mother used to buy when I was a young girl, and I must have been feeling nostalgic that day. I like the smell of Niagara starch and Pledge furniture polish. It’s interesting how smells take us back to good thoughts – or bad. These smells are good for me.
So, there I am was half of the bookshelf unloaded on my piano and I was going through those books – dozens of them; many written by brilliant men and women and I’m thinking to myself – do I even remember a word they ever said? Okay, maybe a little. I remember the gist of the book but still. Oh my gosh. My heart. For two and one-half years I had been pouring myself into a book and I am realizing – who cares? Who could possibly care? Another word was written by another person and for what? What’s the difference? Day after day I watch many people do absolutely nothing with their lives and here I am trying so desperately to do something with mine and I realize – why? How is all the effort worth anything if this is where what I have to say will end up? At best, on some dusty, overlooked shelf or worse yet, never even read at all. Oh, dear Lord. And then it hit me and I slumped myself onto the dusty piano bench and sobbed.
There in my humility, He reminded me of His Words that He told his disciples recorded in Matthew 28:19, “Go ye therefore into all the world”. I’m mindful of the words from Paul in Colossians 3:17, “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” And I’m mindful of this encouraging word found in Ephesians 2:10 “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”
More than several years ago I was overwhelmed with yet a different burden. You know, they can come often and quickly. I was waiting in my car at a red light and the words of Charles Stanley spilled out over my speakers – “Just be faithful in the moment.” I can’t tell you, friend, what an exhale those six words provided for me. And once again, on the piano bench, they surfaced to my agitated spirit and I was reminded I do what I do for Him. No one else. He is my audience.
Just for the record, I’ll leave you with just a few more words that someone said who may have thought that no one would ever read or remember – Only one life, twill soon be past. Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Is it lonely doing what you do for Him? Yes. Sometimes it is. Do you wonder if it’s worth it? Yes. I know you do and I can tell you with great confidence that I know it is. And just remember, we do what He tells us to do because He said so. And that’s enough of a reason to keep on keeping on.
