“To Esau I gave the mountains of Seir to possess, but Jacob and his children went down to Egypt.” Joshua 24: 4
If you were Esau you might think God loved you more since you were moving “up” the mountain (to your inheritance). If you were Jacob you might question why God was sending you “down” to Egypt (suffering, waiting, and hardship) rather than directly to your inheritance. The truth is the Lord was not pleased with Esau, and the Lord had a special plan for Jacob (Israel) and his descendants. That special plan required special attention and preparation. We often misinterpret God’s special attention and preparation in our lives.
I was observing a roofing crew at work on a phone company facility that houses equipment that runs the phone system for the surrounding region. Because of the crucial nature of the equipment in this facility and the absolute need to insure no interruption of the phone service to customers, the contractor was required to have a man (the “spotter”) stand inside and inspect the ceiling underneath the roofing work area during the early morning tear-off phase of the work. The spotter’s job is to make sure there are no leaks, dust, or particles falling from the ceiling onto the equipment. His job, though very important, is relatively easy and comfortable compared to the physical labor of the men at work on the roof. Company policy requires the spotter to remain inside only during early morning tear-off and during removal of the old roofing membrane. He returns to work on the roof with the other men as soon as the tear-off phase is completed and installation of the new membrane has begun.
On this particular job, however, the foreman kept the spotter inside the building through the entire workday. The other workers complained thinking that they were being treated unfairly and that the foreman was showing favoritism. “Why does he allow M____ to sit inside all day while we have to work, sweat, and suffer up here in the heat? Why does he not make M____ come back onto the roof when tear-off is completed, instead of remaining inside when it is not necessary for him to be there?”
Hearing their complaints I went to the foreman and asked him, “Why do you allow the spotter to remain inside all day?” His response surprised me. “I don’t like him. He is lazy and he doesn’t do good work. I keep him down there because I don’t want him around me and I don’t want him up here where the work is going on.”
His response showed me how badly the working crew had misinterpreted the foreman’s actions and motives. They had completely misjudged him and his opinion of them and of the spotter. He was not honoring the man who was left in the shade, and he was not disrespecting the ones who were required to work in the hot sun. To the contrary, it was his respect for their skill and diligence that caused him to keep them in the more difficult and necessary place. He needed them on the roof because he could depend on them to do a good job. It was his displeasure with the spotter that caused him to leave that worker inside in the “easier” place all day. He placed more responsibility and asked more of those from whom he expected more.
We should see in this true story a lesson in how God deals with us. Our load may represent God’s pleasure and confidence in us. He requires more from those He favors. It is an honor for God to ask of you more than He asks of others. God asks more from those to whom He has given more, from whom He expects more, and upon whom He has placed a high calling.
The early Christians did not complain and say, “Why me?” during persecution and beatings for Christ’s sake, but rather rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer for His sake. The Lord was honoring them as those “worthy to drink the cup.” (Mark 10: 35-39). They are the spiritual giants, not those who seem to glide along effortlessly in “flowery beds of ease” on a warm and balmy day. It is not a compliment when God asks nothing of you. The horses who submit to the training bridle are the ones who are chosen to pull the kings carriage, not the ones who are left to run wild and free in the pasture.
In our walk with God we need to remember the following spiritual paradoxes. First, God often speaks louder in His silence and does greater things during what seems to be His absence. In the Father’s silence as Jesus hung on the cross, Jesus cried, “Why have You forsaken Me?” Yet in that moment God wrought salvation for the world and through it elevated Jesus to a throne of great glory. When it feels like He has forgotten us and has left us, He may actually be dealing bountifully with us (Ps 13). His asking hard things of us and requiring more of us than seems fair may be a reflection of the high calling He has placed on us, the special attention He is giving us, and the great expectation He has regarding our character and potential.
David thought God had forgotten him, but then realized the Lord had been paying special attention to him.
Psalm 13: 1 “How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever?
Psalm 13: 6 “I will sing to the Lord, because He has dealt bountifully with me.” |
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