“Where no oxen are, the manger is clean, but much revenue comes by the strength of the ox.” (14:4)

Translation: you’re going to have to put up with some crap if you’re going to be successful. The path or least resistance isn’t a strong one.

There are many factors which lead us to being picky-choosy. My disposition leans toward the avoidance of pain. Pair that, with American commercialism, which always has a thrilling offer to replace whatever just isn’t working out. We’ve got choices. Lots of choices. Too many choices.

Because of this, it’s rare to find someone choosing the hard thing. You know what I’ve learned? Worthwhile things require a bit a pain, patience, endurance, investment, risk and sacrifice. We can go through life easily avoiding this, but it will keep things pretty cheap.

I love the way the wording of the Proverb doesn’t condemn the person who wants a clean stable more than a big profit, it just makes a statement. This begs the question: what am I building towards that I’m willing to put up with some crap for? What am I deeming worth it? 

What is it for you? A relationship? Career? Project? Health goal? To be successful in any of those things, you’re going to have to do some super not glamorous crap shoveling. In a relationship, maybe it’s dealing with your own crap, or maybe it’s graciously handling someone else’s. Major investments can mean major pay offs, you’ve just got to stick with it.

-Bethany