Working the Day Shift

Daily Reading: John 9

Scripture Focus: We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work. (John 9.4)

Devotional Thought: I used to work in a plant that had three shifts. A common question was, "Do you work days?" meaning, "Do you work the day shift?"

Recently, I received an email from a friend reminding me, "Tuesday is the vernal equinox in the Northern Hemisphere, otherwise known as the first day of spring. You probably already knew that." Yes, I did. I hadn't thought about it yet, but ever since the semi-annual ritual called "time change Sunday", I have been anxiously looking forward to the arrival of spring. I am enjoying the "longer" days, but I'm anxious for the weather to catch up. What good are later evenings if you can't get your outside work done?

Work and daylight go together, don't they? Jesus thought they did anyway! He said that "night is coming, when no one can work." There are days of opportunity in each of our lives. Sometimes, health concerns bring about the night. Sometimes, life situations slow us down. And, ultimately, the nightfall of death comes unwelcome and unbidden. Times of opportunity are also dictated by the circumstances of others' lives. Is the season right for you to do the work of the Kingdom in a loved one's life? That sun may set; that opportunity may pass - so we must work the works of God.

Jesus told his disciples, "As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world" (John 9.5). Jesus is in us, shining his light in the world. May we be found faithful doing his work!

Prayer: Jesus, thank you for shining your light into my life. Help me to do your work, the work of him who sent you, while it is day. Then, Lord, when the night comes, may I hear the words, "Well done, good and faithful servant." Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 35.9-17

9 Then my soul will rejoice in the Lord, exulting in his salvation. 10 All my bones shall say, “O Lord, who is like you, delivering the poor from him who is too strong for him, the poor and needy from him who robs him?”

11 Malicious witnesses rise up; they ask me of things that I do not know. 12 They repay me evil for good; my soul is bereft. 13 But I, when they were sick— I wore sackcloth; I afflicted myself with fasting; I prayed with head bowed on my chest. 14 I went about as though I grieved for my friend or my brother; as one who laments his mother, I bowed down in mourning.

15 But at my stumbling they rejoiced and gathered; they gathered together against me; wretches whom I did not know tore at me without ceasing; 16 like profane mockers at a feast, they gnash at me with their teeth.

17 How long, O Lord, will you look on? Rescue me from their destruction, my precious life from the lions!