Joel M Bradshaw

4Where there are no oxen, the manger is clean, but abundant crops come by the strength of the ox.–Proverbs 14

Today’s proverb is very simple to understand. “You like all that the ox can do, but you gotta feed him. And when you do, don’t be surprised if he’s always messing up the feeding area.” The harder part is applying it.

I wonder if it’s about perspective and what we allow ourselves to put up with. Maybe you have a friendship that is like that ox. Things you definitely DON’T like, but you don’t really do anything about it because of the things you like. Maybe you are that friend and you don’t know it.

The best of both worlds is that the ox would bring just value and strength and not drama. Or on the other side, that the farmer would focus more on the blessings and not the frustrations.

How about we stop viewing relationships this way? We have enemies in our lives that Jesus expects us to love. We have neighbors also that Jesus expects us to love. But, the farmer owns the ox and uses him for a purpose. We don’t own each other and shouldn’t be using each other.

So are we just to put up with stuff in life? Aren’t I supposed to have a good life and should fight to maintain that good life? Can’t I set boundaries and stick up for myself and fight to maintain certain things? But people aren’t a profit-loss sheet. They aren’t one of those pros-cons lists. Jesus expects us to love others in a certain way.

My thoughts just keep coming back to the Beatitudes of Matthew 5. As I think about the frustrating ox and how I am at times that ox, I am pondering these verses…

3“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

5“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

6“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

7“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.

8“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

9“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

10“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11“Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

You might have an ox in your life. You might be that ox in someone else’s life. Take Jesus’ words to heart. Boundaries are best set on yourself rather than on your ox.–JMB