I Deserve a Break.. (Luke 12:48)

Of the many psychological surveys I have taken during my career, one observation stands out. After the evaluation, the industrial psychologist walked around the room and stopped in front of each of my partners. Pointing directly at the woman next to me, he declared, “At the end of a very busy day, no matter how heavy the workload, you always feel, ‘I could have done more!’"

She laughed and nodded. Then he stood in front of me and said, “But you, on the other hand, when you have a had a similar heavy workload day, will seek to reward yourself and you may something like, ‘I deserve a break!’"

I also laughed. That is so true, I thought!

Two completely different responses to the same stimuli. Neither right nor wrong, simply a perception and attitude. I deserve a break after a long, hard day, right? After all, I worked harder than anyone else. Perhaps. But my attitude also reveals my selfishness. I think I deserve a break because of who I am.

...Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more.
Luke 12:48 (ESV)

This passage reminds me that to those whom God has blessed with gifts and talents, He does expect much in return. Our attitude should be one of gratitude to Him for what He has given us, rather than the sinful attitude that God should be thankful to us and reward us for working so hard!

If you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, everything you do should be out of gratitude to God who has saved you and bore the penalty of the sin that previously separated you from the sweet fellowship that He always offers you. When you serve God with any long or arduous task, God will give you a break and give you rest, not because you deserve it, but because He loves you.

Love and trust the Lord; seek His will in your life.