The late Peter Marshall, an eloquent speaker and for several years the chaplain of the United States Senate, used to love to tell the story of "The keeper of the spring," a quiet forest dweller who lived high above an Austrian village along the eastern slopes of the Alps.
The old gentleman had been hired many years ago by a young Town Council to clear away the debris from the pools of water up in the mountain crevices that fed the lovely Spring flowing through their town. With faithful, silent regularity, he patrolled the hills, removed the leaves and branches, and wiped away the silt that would otherwise choke and contaminate the fresh flow of water.
By and by, the village became a popular attraction for vacationers. Graceful swans floated along the crystal clear spring, the millwheels of various businesses located near the water turned day and night, farmlands were naturally irrigated, in the view from restaurants was picturesque beyond description.
Years passed. One evening the town council met for its semi-annual meeting. As they reviewed the budget, one man's eye caught the salary figure being paid to the obscure Keeper of the spring. Said the keeper of the purse, "Who is the old man? Why do we keep him on year after year? No one ever sees him. For all we know the strange ranger of the hills is doing us no good. He isn't necessary any longer!" By a unanimous vote, they dispensed with the old man's services.
For several weeks nothing changed. By early autumn the trees began to shed their leaves. Small branches snapped off and fell into the pools, hindering the rushing flow of sparkling water. One afternoon someone noticed a slight yellowish-brown tint in the spring. A couple days later that water was much darker. Within another week, a slimy film covered sections of the water along the banks and a foul odour was soon detected. The mill wheels moved more slowly, and some finally ground to a halt. Swans left as did the tourists. Clammy fingers of disease and sickness reached deeply into the village.
Quickly, the embarrassed council called a special meeting. Realising their gross error in judgment, they hired back the old keeper of the spring... and within a few weeks, the veritable river of life began to clear up. The wheels started to turn, and new life returned to the hamlet in the Alps once again.
It does not matter what the job is, that you are fulfilling, but it is essential that you continue in that job as long as God has placed you there. Never allow the enemy to discourage you to think that your tasks are all in vain and not making a difference. God is the judge and He would not place you in a certain position unless that position needed your help to make it better. (1 Corinthians 12:18-23) (Romans 12:3-8)
If you have been tempted to give up and quit the job that you are doing because you are not being recognized, I encourage you to endure and continue on because it is the Lord that sees your task and it is God that blesses and promotes. Never look to your boss for your promotion, but rather do your job to the best of your abilities and you will see God promote and prosper you to heights you never thought possible. (1 Corinthians 2:9)
[Adapted from the writings of Chuck Swindoll]
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