I was struck yesterday morning in church that, as a congregation, we have a lot of different jobs. Some of us run small businesses, others are teachers or work with young people. Some of us are full time mums or dads, others are elders. Last week, the verse in Colossians 3:23 stuck in my mind:
23 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.
Recently, I've been finding work particularly hard because of the pressures involved. However, knowing that I'm in this job to primarily glorify God changes the way I view today. It reminds me that my worth's not measured by my performance at work but by the fact that Jesus died for me; and because of that, that I'm his child. I'm so thankful that, as the verse says, I'm serving Jesus and not my work. I'm thankful that my work doesn't define me. I'm thankful that Jesus' righteousness if sufficient for me. If it weren't, I've have no chance. I'd be serving one master or another - as a teacher, most like work - and burning out becomes a real danger.
Yet, Jesus says to 'work heartily' - how? - as working for him. Matthew 11:28-30 says:
28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
I've found that bringing my work to him changes my attitude towards it. It doesn't lessen the responsibilities or the pressures but it changes why I'm doing it. It puts my work in perspective and reminds me that my loving, heavenly father's over it.
Out of all the above, a poem came to me in today in church. Here it is:
I wonder how you see your work today.
Is it joy, or pain, maybe mindless drudgery?
But, know today God's placed you where you are
That, through your service, folk may be set free!
To you, running small businesses, take heart,
For, he has given you these to bring him fame,
to serve the folk your business caters for
and, through the way you run it, glorify his name.
To you who teach the youngest to the old,
giving hours of time I've given to get it right,
Take heart that I am your defining worth
and through your love shine to your kids my light.
To you who work with hands the things so many need,
though some think these tasks bring little fame,
work in all you do as serving me
for each care-laid brick, wooden beam and twice-checked wire
brings glory to my name.
To you who work with people each and every day,
Serving their needs & giving all you have,
keep your eyes fixed on him as you give of yourself
as Jesus did, just like his heavenly dad.
For, whatever your do, work with whole heart,
as for the Lord and not for men,
knowing his inheritance will be your reward
when he returns and all raise the amen!
So, church, you are not made to work,
but, through whatever gifts he's given you, bring him praise
for, work cannot define you, church, but this,
his cleansing love's redeemed your every day.
So, just as Jesus followed in his father's footsteps,
crafting beautiful objects out of wood,
God calls you, where you are within your jobs
to work with all your heart,
that Jesus' worth be understood.
Each of you he's chosen, each with gifts he's given you,
that you might serve in every way with what hr's given,
that, through your live for him and whole-hearted service,
you and all are around might see, hear and know Christ risen.
TheWeeScottie
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