“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” I Corinthians 15:58
I know that most people don’t have a problem with it, but one household chore that’s always driven me crazy is dusting. It’s not the act of removing dust itself that I dislike; it’s just that the reason for it has always seemed counterintuitive to me. It makes sense that something would require cleaning after being used. I make a smoothie in my blender and have to wash it afterwards; I sleep in my bed and have to make it in the morning. I don’t mind cleaning these things because I’ve used them, and they’ve fulfilled a purpose.
But what bothers me is that the things in my home that gather the most dust—and then need to be cleaned—are the things that get the least use! Forgotten appliances, knickknacks, and picture frames all have to be regularly dusted because they never get used. They sit still in their spots and don’t ever move. It seems that all they’re good for is gathering dust.
Over the past few months, I’m afraid that, like the unused objects in our homes, many of us have started gathering dust. By necessity, we’ve had to sit at home or in the parking lot and watch church rather than participate in it. We’ve not been preparing Sunday school lessons, going to choir practice, or getting up early to go out on the buses each week. The danger in this is that objects at rest tend to stay at rest. Lack of use can cause us to become complacent and comfortable in our calm, stationary positions.
As churches around the country start reopening their doors, let’s dust ourselves off and get ready to jump back into the work of the ministry! When the choir begins to sing again, let’s be in our places. When the buses get back on the road, let’s run our routes with even more enthusiasm than before. When the nurseries, Sunday schools, and other ministries all begin again, let’s not be content to maintain the layer of dust that may have settled over our zeal in recent days. Instead, let’s refuse to gather any more dust and get to work!
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Lauren Morris, GSBC Professor
Mrs. Lauren Morris is a graduate of North Valley Baptist Schools and Golden State Baptist College. She is an integral faculty member of her college alma mater and is responsible for training the next generation in the subjects of English, education, and music. Mrs. Morris is also heavily involved in the music ministry of North Valley Baptist Church and has been faithfully serving on staff for many years.
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