Friday's Thoughts

"Working for the Laud"

This sermon is an answer to the statement posed in Ecclesiastes 3 that says, "What gain is the worker from their toil?"

There has to be an answer to that despairing thought. What is it?

I'm not sure I have this said the way it ought to be said but I think there is a contrast between "working for the laud" and "working for the Lord".

It is concerning that that sounds like a platitude but there is something behind it that ought to be exposed.
If we are working for praise or recognition we may be disappointed. We need an agent to help us. We need a voice to speak for us that will be an advocate for us to help others see what we can do and who we are.

If we have grown to accept our situation as no better than what it is we will need a counselor to be the voice that reminds us of the latent potential we are capable of fulfilling. We need not accept a lesser place in life than what it could become. Abraham Heschel is right to say, "Something is being asked of us".

Ultimately, there can be a voice within us that knows what it is to do the right thing no matter the consequences. Working for praise will not bring satisfaction; praise is faint and fleeting. Working for something higher will linger because it is eternal.

There is a better way to say it. Jesus said to Martha, "You are worried about many things. Only one thing is necessary."

What is the one thing that is necessary?
In this sermon I will try to find it. Any ideas? If so write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to have others look in on your thoughts click on the box below.

I look forward to hearing from you.


Charles Schuster