Read: Psalm 104 and First Timothy 6:6-7
(see also Colossians 3:15-17)
About three weeks ago, I was driving home from doing errands. Parked alongside the road was a street sweeper. Immediately, my mind raced back to a memory that was nearly thirty years old. I was watching one of the weekly news programs that highlight different people - sometimes politicians, sometimes ordinary individuals. This particular night they had spotlighted J. Q. Citizen.
The young man, whom I'll call Tony, was in about his late twenties. He had a sunny personality, and most everything he said was accompanied with a smile. He lived in a very modest home that was meagerly decorated. The person conducting the interview was directed to a chair just in front of a window with a view toward the street. Tony was asked to share a bit about himself that included his early childhood, family life, experiences during school, and high school graduation. The interview then turned toward its intended purpose. You see, Tony drove a street sweeper.
To this day I am still not quite sure why they thought this was a story of significance. But that was why Tony was on television that night. He was asked question after question about his chosen profession. I sat dumfounded as this young man, full of spirit and vibrancy, poured his heart out to the thousands of unseen viewers about his love and admiration for street sweeping. With great delight and pride, he walked us through a typical day. He showed us his street sweeper and took us for a ride - up one street and down another. His face beamed as he explained the technique of keeping the streets clean and how to maneuver the vehicle for the best results.
Tony was totally enamored with what he was doing. There was no mistaking that he had found his niche in life. As a matter of fact, during the interview, he had admitted that this was something he had dreamed of doing. All of his childhood he had watched the street sweepers from the window of his home and told himself that he was going to drive one of those someday.
As a young woman, I remember thinking that there was something wrong with Tony. What kind of person aspires to be a street sweeper, I had thought. It so disturbed me that I talked about it for months afterwards with anyone that would listen. Everyone had the same thoughts as I. But as I ponder over it all now, thirty years later, I see that Tony knew something that I had missed. He had found contentment in what he felt was his calling.
Our scripture readings for this month begin by showing us the greatness of our God through the act of His creation. We see that in all things, God has a purpose. There is nothing wasted, nor is there anything counted as insignificant. He is a Master of order, and everything that He does fits neatly into an appointed place.
We can find confidence in what we have been called to do. There is blessed contentment in knowing that we are in the perfect will of God. John Maxwell put it this way, "There are two great days in your life, the day you were born and the day you know why."
No matter what the design over our life may be, or how it is regarded by others, it has great significance to God. Let's not do as I did thirty years ago and measure the worth of someone's calling based on what we think is significant or valuable. Rather, let us welcome and appreciate every gift, talent, and calling that God has ordained, and walk contentedly in our purpose.
Prayer
Lord, thank You for designing my path and its significance for Your divine purpose. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
