We have the responsibility to work hard – diligently doing everything God has called us to do. But our efforts alone cannot produce the desired results. And so we must also pray for God to send the rain to bless our efforts.
For example, there’s no harvest to enjoy for the lazy farmer. His fields will remain bare if he just sits on the porch. He must do the hard work of tilling the soil and planting his seeds if he wants a good harvest.
At the same time, he can do all of this and there are still no guarantees, as there remain elements outside of his control. Without the needed rain his crops still won’t grow. And in this way he has a constant reminder of his dependence on God’s provision. While he has his part to play, he cannot be fruitful without God’s blessing.
And the same is true for us. We have our part to play in working hard and faithfully fulfilling the responsibilities God has given us. And this means we can’t enjoy the good life by being passive.
All the same, our hard work is not enough without God’s blessing. As such, perhaps working harder is not the answer when we’re experiencing a drought in our life and relationships. It’s possible we’ve done all we can do and we must now turn our eyes to God to bring the rain. Like the farmer, this is a reminder that we too remain ultimately dependent on God.
To be sure, we’re lazy and foolish when we’re not willing to work hard. But we risk becoming arrogant and prideful when we don’t also remember to pray for the rain.
In the end, work hard in fulfilling the duties God has given you to do. And remember to also pray for the rain, as God’s grace and mercy are needed for your efforts to be blessed.
Photo by Vince Fleming on Unsplash
