Besty Annie Abraham

Energy, tools, and will are essential to do any type of work in time. This varies from person to person, according to the type and volume of work. If an axe of the woodcutter is dull, and one does not sharpen the edge of it in time he must waste more strength and the same also reduce the volume of work. Which is the field you have chosen to work? When was the last time you sharpened your tools? (Eccl. 10:10). There are certain clues and secrets for a victorious life.

Here is an incident This happened in Bhutan , during the construction of Indo-Bhutan Project, the Chuka Hydral Project. For the Hydral Project, water from the main river had to be diverted by a lengthy and wide tunnel of 6 Kms. of 6-meter diameter through the Himalayan Mountains . The Project authorities awarded the risky and tedious work of tunnel to a Construction Company of India . The prestigious and national important Project has to be completed with in the stipulated time, hence the work has been divided in to two equal parts, site one- started from the riverside, under the supervision of Site Incharge-I and also the other side site- II, under the supervision of Site In charge -2. Both the teams tried their best to achieve the target. Other than many tourists, several tunnel specialists and experts from all over the world came to see the work of the great project.

While the work was well in progress, the king of Bhutan declared his date of visit to the site of Chuka Hydral Project. Preparations for the visit of the king were also going on. The General Manager of the Construction Company invited both the site- in- charges, the engineers and the workers and placed a challenge before them. “During the month you will complete 100 meter tunneling from both sides, special rewards will be bestowed and bonuses will be sanctioned and efficient team will be honored by the king. Accordingly both the teams took the challenge and continued their work with great vigour. The General Manager used to visit both the sites to encourage all of them engaged in the task, but he observed that the workers of site-I was very happy and doing their work very efficiently, sincerely and the progress of work was good where as the other side team used to work very hard but the progress was not up to the mark. On the last day of the month the in -charge of the site-I came and reported that his team achieved the goal, instead of 100 meter they could cover 101 meters of tunnel. But the other team at site-II was yet struggling to reach the target. The Project was completed, the Project Authorities organized a special glittering function; the king of Bhutan rewarded the team members for their outstanding performances, honored and awarded the site- in -charge for the outstanding performance of the team for his able leadership. After the award giving function, the newsmen, cameramen and T.V. men approached the successful site –in- charge and inquired about the causes of their success, a new record and achieving the target. With a smiling face and credit he explained.

“ While the team was struggling day and night and blasting the hard rocks, he himself also got mixed with them, involved in the work, encouraged, recognized, and rewarded them, found time to solve the practical difficulties and take care of the welfare of each member of the team. Special care and arrangements were made to ensure that for self protection every one wears safety equipments, specified uniforms, take a break of rest in interval and also to get appropriate tools and sharpen the tools properly after every cycle of blasting of the rocks”.

Yes, in addition to dedication, determination, discipline, love and care, the energy, encouragement and sharpening of the tools in time were the root cause of the progress and success of the team and achieving the goal and bringing credit to the organization. We are in this world with special plan, purpose, and assignment of God, entrusted with the soul winning business, yes, co-workers with Christ in His vineyard, carrying the gospel to the uttermost part of the world and making disciples. The work is great and extensive, but the time is short.

Let us take a few minutes to think: According to His promises have we received the Power from above i.e Holy Spirit? (Acts 1:8), Have we applied the fundamental teachings of the Bible, “ Love one another” (1 john 4:12) “Give, it shall be given unto you” (Luke 6:38),”Them that honour me I will honour ” Do we got a team spirit? Are we loving, caring and encouraging others, supporting the needy in the field? Sharpening the tools of spiritual warfare? Storing the word of God- the sword?

Our Lord is at hand, let us be ready and make others ready. Be prayerful and watchful to enter in to the kingdom of God . He will settle accounts of talents and shall reward every man according to his works” Mathew 16:27; Rev. 2:23 &22:12. Will we get the certificate from our Lord “ Well done, good and faithful servant…”