Monday was the final run to get finished our work in preparation for our final presentation the following day. What I remember most from this day is a story that David Kasali told us that I want to share.
When the first academic building that they have here was under construction, David was walking through the site while they were putting the floors in. One fellow was working with a vibrator on the concrete floors. From a distance David called out to him saying, “Do you know what you are doing?” The man replied, “Yes, I know what I am doing.” and continued on with his work. Then David called out to him a second time: “Do you know what you are doing?” and the man replied again, “Yes, of course I know what I am doing”. David, not yet satisfied, called out a third time, “Do you know what you are doing?” Finally the man turned off the vibrator and walked over to David with a questioning look on his face. He asked, “Why do you continue asking me this question. I know exactly what I am doing. I have done this job many times.” And David replied, “You do not fully understand the job that you are doing. You are creating a floor that will serve God’s Kingdom. Hundreds and thousands of students will pass over this floor where they will be learning about Christ Jesus and how to be leaders in their communities. This floor will be here for generations to come and will witness a transformed Congo. The man had not quite thought about it that way before; finally he set back to work, applying himself to his job with renewed energy.
The following day David came back to the construction site where the fellow was still working, this time with a group of a few others. David called out again asking, “Do you know what you are doing?” With a huge grin the man replied, “Yes, I know what I am doing”, and pointing to the others he added, “But they do not!”
David told us that in that same year this man went to be with the Lord. The floor lives on however, and is a testament to how God works through each and every one of us. Thousands of students have already passed over it and many more have yet to. It doesn’t matter how mundane the task may seem, every piece plays its essential part. Only in focusing on Christ can we gain this mindset and grow this spiritual hunger and thirst that essentially change the reasons behind the work that we do and the decisions we make.
Now I ask you again; do you know what you are doing?
“Jesus answered, I tell you the truth, you are looking for me, not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the son of man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.” – John 6: 26-27
Life Section 