“I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.” John 9:4
There’s a song resting amongst numerous others between the hard blue covers of a book (with many exactly like it) in the family room of our home. Hymnbooks yes, but they could perhaps also be called “pointing-to-the-Truth” books as well. While the songs may be the thoughtfully written meditations of man, they can become mental vehicles to what is lovely and true and right. Riding on their melodic transport we can be lifted higher to more breathable air, directing our thoughts to the Truth.
“Work for the night is coming
Work thro’ the morning hours” …
The song starts off with the encouragement to work–night is coming. (On a side note, the verses offered here are not taken directly from the hymnbook mentioned but were acquired from an online resource that provided public domain text.) The word “work” can have an interesting juxtaposition within our minds. On one hand, it’s that which perhaps we see as duty. Which might seem challenging and hard. On the other, we realize that work is something that can be a part in reviving us, helping us to have a sense of purpose to each day and gives us the pleasure of being a blessing to others.
“Work while the dew is sparkling
Work ‘mid springing flowers
Work when the day grows brighter
Work in the glowing sun
Work for the night is coming
When man’s work is done” …
We may tend to mentally sideline work into the normal configurations of what “work” must be. The 9 to 5, the dirty dishes in the sink, perhaps the filling of forms for another tax year.
But is that all? There’s hidden work that we may miss and underestimate.
Work that involves the folding of hands and closing of the eyes, work that may involve the wrestling of a soul in prayer for the sake of another. Work that may go unnoticed and unappreciated because to outward appearance it seems like “no work at all”.
“Work for the night is coming
Work thro’ the sunny noon
Fill brightest hours with labor
Rest comes sure and soon
Give every flying minute
Something to keep in store
Work for the night is coming
When man works no more”…
Work can take many and varied forms and it is truly only God Who knows and understands each and every task we undertake. To Him, no work–done in His will–is too little.
“Work for the night is coming
Under the sunset skies
While the bright tints are glowing
Work for daylight flies
Work till the last beam fadeth
Fadeth to shine no more
Work while the night is darkening
When man’s work is o’er”…
One day our work will, beyond the shadow of a doubt, be over. Done. Finished.
