Wednesday, June 15, 2011 - Wax On, Wax Off

"For this reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness;

and to goodness, knowledge;

and to knowledge, self-control;

and to self-control, perseverance;

and to perseverance, godliness;

and to godliness, brotherly kindness;

and to brotherly kindness, love.

For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure,

they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive

in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ."

2 Peter 1:5-8

In both versions of The Karate Kid Mr. Miyagi teaches Daniel the martial art of karate through drudgery. In the older version of the story Daniel learns discipline, technique and trust by obeying Mr. Miyagi's seemingly selfish demands to paint a huge fence and wax a collection of classic cars. When the time comes to defend himself, Daniel's mind and body are ingrained with the "wax on, wax off"  technique and he surprises himself with the skills he's learned through drudgery. 

     Sunday, Julie and Nick dedicated Addy to the Lord and themselves to training her up in the ways of the Lord. The future holds many "wax on, wax off" moments for Addy and her parents. God designed families so everyone benefits from the discipline of family life. Julie and Nick won't be able to add to their Adalyn Faith's faith without adding to their own through the ups and downs and round and rounds of waxing on and waxing off.

     God knows we need daily training to come through in life's crises. You've experienced it before when a need arose and you had the bit of knowledge or a specific skill that "saved the day," so to speak. When we feel the drudgery of paperwork, repetitive chores, or distastasteful tasks we need to ask ourselves, "What part of my character is God building through this?"  I'll bet there'll be more than one; maybe even enough for a sequel or two.

Father, we sure fuss when we feel we've been delegated too much (or even a little) drudgery or repetitiveness.  You have big plans for us that require tiny tasks. You plan to stretch our faith - but a little at the time. Guide us to trust and obey in every way and to gain from each repetitive task what You intend. The world teaches us to trade schedules, chores, selflessness and simple discipline for entertainment. Guide us let You satisfy our souls and build our character to stick to the tasks at hand. 

In the Name of Jesus, Who washed feet and made dinner for 5,000