Secrets Of Life

 

A certain farmer told each of his children when they were young that there was a “secret” of life, and it was a mystery that he’d reveal when they reached their 12^th birthday. “I will tell you the secret of life then,” he said. On the day the eldest turned 12, the nervous daughter approached her father and said, “So, tell me the secret.” “Fine,” said her father, “but you must promise not to reveal the secret to your younger brothers and sisters.” The girl promised. He said, “The secret of life is this: The cow does not give milk.” His daughter stared in misbelief, “Wait. What?” “You heard me,” he said. “The cow does not give milk; you have to milk it. You have to get up at four in the morning, go to the field, walk through the corral full of manure, tie the tail, hobble the legs of the cow, sit on the stool, place the bucket, and do the work yourself. That is the secret of life: the cow does not give milk. One must milk her, or you don’t get milk.” There is this generation that thinks cows give milk – that things are automatic and free. The mentality of this generation is that if, ‘I wish it, I ask …I obtain.’ It’s used to getting whatever it wants and getting it the easy way. But no, life is not a matter of wishing, asking, and obtaining. The things that one receives are the cumulative effort of what one does. Happiness is the result of effort. Lack of effort creates frustration. So, share with your children at an early age the secret of life, so they don’t grow up with the mentality that the government, their parents, or their cute little faces are going to give them everything they need in life. (Timothy Merrill, HomeTouch, February 4, 2024)

Beekeepers know that a bee’s age is determined by the condition of its wings. Because bees constantly work, their wings get a lot of wear and tear, Young bees have wide, well-formed wings, whereas older bees have narrow, torn, and tattered wings. The bee does not die of old age. It dies when its wings are completely worn out and can no longer work or fly. Near the point of death, the bee points itself away from the beehive and begins to fly, never to return again. The bee literally wears itself out - working!

[James 1:25] Blaise Pascal, the brilliant 17^th century intellectual, who made significant contributions in the fields of science and mathematics, established the groundwork for the development of mechanical calculators and modern hydraulic operations. As a young man, Pascal had a profound experience that changed his life. It motivated him to refocus his studies to theology. Pascal wrote a remarkable prayer that won the praise and admiration of many who were moved by it in facing the many tasks and challenges of life. He prayed: “Lord, help me to do great things as though they were little, since I do them with your power; and little things as though they were great, since I do them in your name.”

The apostle Paul wrote, “I can do all thing through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13), and “…whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31). These admonitions are to encourage us to depend on God for His power and to view every act as the greatest of importance, since it will reflect on His glory. The next time you face a large undertaking, a huge task – remember that God is your strength. And when you encounter a seemingly insignificant one, determine to do it with excellence to the glory of God. Expect great things from God; Attempt great things for God. When your back is against the wall and the odds seem not in your favor, remember …you and God make a majority. There is no task so great that you and God together can’t accomplish. No enemy is so strong that you and God can’t defeat it. Have some works to do? Start it at this very hour. You supply the willingness; God will supply the power. Let us be people who are willing to ‘work our wings off’ in the Lord’s service to the glory of our Creator, God.