Proverbs 14:4

The book of Proverbs gives us a lot of instruction on a lot of different subjects. One subject that can keep us in God’s wisdom is Godly Follower-ship. Who we follow; where we follow; how we follow are all spoken about in Proverbs. Here is one of them life’s tough situations:

Proverbs 14:4

Where there is no oxen, the manager (barn) is clean, but from the strength of the ox comes an abundant harvest.

A proverb is a way to teach wisdom in a simple way with a word picture, or with contrasting or complimentary statements. In this proverb Solomon gives us a vivid picture about what can be best described as Barn Moments in life. He simply observes that if you have no ox you have a very clean barn. But, if you have an ox you will have a great harvest (by the ox’s strength in the field pulling the plow). But, where you have an ox you also have manure. We might say it this way, “If you want milk from a cow you may have to walk around, past and possibly through the manure to get it.” So, we have a choice in life to deal with the bad in order to get to the good. Having a church focused on children means we will have children running around the church. It might be quiet without the children, but we will have great strength from them as they grow and serve. Children make messes. Children make noise. Children … eventually produce milk. We might have struggles with our children in our family, but can grow those children to use for His Kingdom and His plans.   We might have a struggle right now and it feels like “manure.”    But, God takes those times and gives us His strength to endure them.  By faith we believe, by faith, that God will use those times to work the “manure” in life for His divine purpose.   

Romans 8:28 (ESV Strong's)

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

So, we can complain about the manure in life, or we can work hard to get to the milk. Milk or Manure is you choice.