When there are no oxen, the manger is clean. But abundant crops come by the strength of the ox.Proverbs 14:4 (ESV)
Where there is no ox, even though the manger is clean, it is also empty as the farmer lacks crops to keep feeding and raising other animals.
Is our ‘manger’ (symbolic for ‘life’) clean but empty? Have we been avoiding troubles and people to keep our lives ‘clean’? On the other hand, does life feel ‘empty’ at times because we lack involvement with others and even God in our lives?
Let us not be afraid of extra work and burdens to prepare for a ‘spiritual harvest’ and produce good deeds for other people.
Father God, enable us to see other people’s needs through Your eyes and fulfil Your calling to us by serving and bringing hope to one another, just like how Jesus served the world with a pure motive and strong conviction. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Annie Chan
