Where no oxen are, the manger is clean, But much revenue comes by the strength of the ox. Proverbs 14:4
The first time I actually read this verse with purpose, I had just taken the reigns of the Religion Department for the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services. Overnight, I became the “go-to” person for Religion in Nebraska’s correctional system. I found myself tasked with leading eleven individuals located in ten facilities scattered across the state of Nebraska. As I sat in my new office with the phone ringing, constant skype messages bombarding me, and a legion of emails waiting for a response, I felt I was waist-deep in the muck of each facility’s stable. Proverbs 14:4 gave me strength at that time. If those individuals were not in the facilities performing ministry, I would have a clean manger and a spotless stable. Yet because they were there, I was being advised of the filth they were entrenched in and allowed to help them clean it out so that their stable could be productive.
Those eleven leaders seldom created their own gunge-ridden manger and stable most of it came from inmates and staff. These unsung heroes of the faith came to the aid of those mired in slime. This was not pleasant, and many times involved helping inmates and staff face the harsh reality of their circumstances, yet they stayed beside them, invested themselves in them, and help each of them clean their manger and harness the strength of their oxen.
That is what each of us is called to do in our society. We are not called to minister in an atmosphere that has clean mangers. We are called to minister to those who need help with their oxen, whatever those issues may be. We are not responsible for the squalor that is in the manger or the stable, but we as Christians need to step in beside the person as he or she begins the hard work of cleaning it.
Here is a challenge, make a list of those you know are struggling with the grunge of their manager, and commit to coming beside one of them this week. As you help them, you will find joy in contributing to their success as they harness the strength of their oxen.