The Young Adult Ministry at the church I attended hosts summer events that takes place on some Saturdays during the month. Throughout the summer the gathering location is normally within a park-one Queens (where the Cathedral/sanctuary is located) or neighboring boroughs.
I had the wonderful opportunity of being part of one session that was held at Forest Park, in Queens, New York.
Consider The Ant was the theme for this session. Proverbs 6:6-11 was our main focus. We also scanned through other verses in the Bible that pertained to work ethic, and ones purpose for working (these I will share later).
»Ants are communal creatures. They hold their own responsibility, but they also work together, as a community should, to get the job done.
1 Corinthians 7:23 “You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men.” If we are in Christ, then we belong to Christ. The verse strictly and simply says Do Not become slaves of men. We don’t need to especially considering Colossians 3 verse 17 and 23.
Ecclesiastes 2:24 “Nothing is better for a man than that he should eat and drink, and that his soul should enjoy good in his labor. This also, I saw, was from the hand of God.” Meaning we can enjoy our labor or what we produce. The fruits we reap from our labor we are allowed to enjoy. IT IS OKAY TO ENJOY IT!
Ecc. 4:4-11″Again, I saw that for all toil and every skillful work a man is envied by his neighbor. This also is vanity and grasping for the wind. 5 The fool folds his hands and consumes his own flesh. 6 Better a handful with quietness than both hands full, together with toil and grasping for the wind. 7 Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun: 8 There is one alone; without companion: he has neither son nor brother. Yet there is no end to all his labors, nor is his eye satisfied with riches. But he never asks, ‘For whom do I toil and deprive myself of good?’ This also is vanity and a grave misfortune.”
We have to ask ourselves: What am I laboring for? What are my own purposes? Is my labor for myself, God or others. Are these things in line with loving God first with all our heart, soul, mind and strength and loving our neighbors as ourselves or as Christ loves us (Deuteronomy 6:5, Matthew 22:37, Leviticus 19:18b)?
Ecc. 11:3-10. Out of all the verses read during this session in the park verse 6 stuck out to me the most.
Verses 5,6: ” As you do not know what is the way of the wind, or how bones grow in the womb of her who is with child, so you do not know the works of God who makes everything. 6 In the morning sow your seed, and in the evening do not withhold your hand; for you do not know which will prosper, either this or that, or whether both alike will be good.”
Matthew 25:14-30 is the parable of the master and his servants, also known as The Parable of The Talents.
- Bullet point for this scripture: Work with what you’ve been given or already have. Don’t be afraid. We all have different levels of ability. Stop comparing ourselves with others.
Colossians 3:23
- Bullet point: GRATITUDE; Be grateful (This ties in with using what we already have and ceasing to compare ourselves with others).
The first activity we did after reafing Proverbs 6 was to list all the areas in which we have responsibility over or where we produce. With what we listed we did some self-reflection and wrote next to each item whether or not we were and ant (a) or sluggard (s) with that responsibility. Then we listed the things we would do if we had more time. I recommend doing this activity for yourself also. Are you taking care of your responsibilities in a way that honors God.
With the things you would do if you had more time, is time really what is stopping you? Or do you have to maybe rearrange your priorities? Or be bold and say no to fear?
PRAYERFULLY do this, maybe during your devotional time or during prayer with the Lord. He can show you what needs to be changed or what can stay the same. Even ask Him for the things you desire, let Him know about them.
I received much from my first summer session, so if you are in the New York City area I encourage you to visit the last session that will be held this year. For more information visit the Young Adult Ministry Youth page on Facebook .
Just a Little Something 