TODAY’S JOURNAL A record of occurrences, experiences or observations. by R. D. Sandlin

              All Work and No Play                                              Jan. 15, 2005

"...everyone unto his work." Just as the people of Nehemiah's day had their individual responsibility in building the wall, so each of us has our own work in building up God's Kingdom. He has dispensed to each his or her own place. Nehemiah was not like many well-intentioned leaders today who have fallen into the "Pharaoh Syndrome: "Let there more work be laid upon the men." But this mentality only "made their lives bitter."

Some of us have an overdeveloped sense of duty. Like Benjamin of old, we have five times more on our plate than our brethren. This is not a compliment if it crushes you. Duties never conflict. Certainly we are to have priorities and everything in its order. But we need not sacrifice the one at the expense of the other.

There's a need in each of our lives for a spiritual inventory. If we do, I think many of us will find that our self-imposed activities are not Divinely ordered. The way to tell the difference is, "If...God command thee so, then thou shalt be able." You do only what God has enabled you to do and leave the rest. God will take care of both the unfinished work and the slack worker. You're one person, and you're to do the work of one, according to your ability.

                       "All work and no play" can cause a Christian great dismay.