It’s appealing to desire a life of comfort and ease. When life is simple and uncomplicated we can relax and take it easy. We need to have times of rest and be still and know that He is God. The proverb is true, if you keep the bow bent, it will eventually break. That’s why the archer unstrings the bow when it’s not in use. The goal of the archer however, is not to have a well preserved bow – the goal is to have a bow that is capable of launching an arrow to its intended target. We may have a tendency to choose a life of comfort and ease, but we must not forget God’s overall purpose for our lives. Solomon revealed the true purpose of our lives in this proverb:

Where there are no oxen, the manger is clean; but much revenue comes by the strength of the ox. (Proverbs 14:4)

We may not own oxen, but we understand the importance of having resources that enable us to multiply our efforts. Solomon taught that if you don’t have any oxen then you’ll have a clean manger. The purpose of the manger however, is not to remain clean, but it’s a feeding trough for the oxen. If you have oxen then the manger will get dirty, but oxen are able to greatly increase our revenue. The word revenue conveys the idea of income, fruitfulness, and increase. God’s design for our lives is that we will bear fruit. After God created man and woman, He gave them this command:

God blessed them; and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” (Genesis 1:28)

Jesus continued this theme and gave His disciples this command:

You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you. (John 15:16)

It can be tempting to take it easy and not worry about taking care of the oxen, but it will limit our effectiveness. Brene Brown reminds us that we can have comfort or we can make a difference – but we can’t do both. What are you choosing? We need times of refreshment, but we are called to be fruitful. The disciples enjoyed their time on the mount of transfiguration with Jesus and they wanted to stay. Jesus however, brought them back down into the demon filled valley below. We too prefer the mountain top experience, but God has called us to make a difference. We must remember that we are not called to be comfortable, but we are called to be fruitful for God.

Rick Higgins

Associate Pastor – Discipleship.  The Church at LifePark