“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.” (Colossians 3:23)
Edgar Kaiser was a man tasked with building ships for America before the country entered World War II in the early 1940’s. Time was of the essence in order to supply Great Britain, who was already in the war, with the necessary ships to defeat the Nazis. The United States expected to enter the war soon and ships were a vital part of the overall strategy. It took Kaiser and his team 253 days to build one ship. This length of time could not remain. It had to be done more quickly.
Admiral Howard Vickery challenged Kaiser to build the ship in 105 days. It seemed impossible. They cut it to 154 days. As Kaiser and his men were pressed and expectations raised, they did tasks once thought improbable. Democracy and freedom were at stake. Eventually these ship builders adapted and changed to such a degree, the fastest ship was built in four days, fifteen hours, and twenty-six minutes (see “Freedom’s Forge” by Arthur Herman).
Men and women were made by God to work and to adapt to changing surroundings. “The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.” (Genesis 2:15) We do not know how long Adam and Eve were in the garden and all they accomplished before their choice to sin against God resulted in expulsion. However, we have a history of the world that demonstrates God’s creativity and will to accomplish his own purposes.
“Jesus” was a low budget film produced by sincere Christians in the 1970’s who wanted to provide a biblically accurate account of the life of Christ. According to Wikipedia.org, it was released by Warner Bros. in the United States and lost about $2 million – unsuccessful to say the least.
Then, in the 1980’s, some men and women with Cru (formerly Campus Crusade for Christ) who knew almost nothing about film editing, decided to use the film to share the gospel of Christ in other languages. They began translation. Technology was used. Improvements were made. Missionaries were mobilized to take this film around the world in people’s own languages. According to The New York Times, “Jesus” has been viewed more than 6 billion times, making it the most-watched film in the history of the world.
What is the “garden” that God wants you to “work” and “take care of”? You have the amazing ability given by God to create, adapt, and manage something he has entrusted you to do. “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.” (Colossians 3:23) Commit to the task the Lord has set for you and see what amazing thing, whether seemingly large or small, he may choose to do through your life!
