Not Just Working for 'The Man'

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Where did this week go?? Yikes! It's Thursday already and I'm scrambling to get things ready for KIDS' SAFETY DAY on Saturday and for worship on Sunday. But before all that I wanted to get caught up with the Q&As and reflect with you a bit.


So, here's the question and answer from Monday:
What are “in full view of the Lord” and all of what does God examine? (Proverbs 5)
Proverbs 5:21 21 For a man's ways are in full view of the LORD, and he examines all his paths.

And here's the question and answer from Tuesday:
To what are believers to prevent themselves from becoming captive? (Colossians 2) For a bonus point: what do you think this verse means?
Colossians 2:8 8 See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.

Also, here's the question and answer from Wednesday:
To whom is Psalm 90 attributed to?
A prayer of Moses the man of God.

And, finally, here's the question of the day:
Finish this proverb: “An anxious heart weighs a man down, but ____________________________________.” (Proverbs 12)


And here's the reflection of the day:
Colossians 3:23-24
23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

These verses from Colossians really come in handy sometimes . . . the times we are discouraged, the times we are frustrated, the times we feel like our work--or our life--is pointless. Whatever it is that is getting us down (situation at work, keeping up with chores around the house, trying to mend a broken relationship, visiting a dying friend), "work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord."

This morning, I'm thinking these verses can come in handy during the times when you're at work and you have to do something you don't really want to do. Maybe that doesn't happen very often for some. But for others, their whole job may be filled with things you don't really want to do. Don't think of it as working for "the man." Think of is as serving the Lord Christ.

These verses even apply to pastors, believe it or not! :0) There are aspects of our jobs that we don't exactly relish. Those specific parts differ from pastor to pastor--based on spiritual gifts and skills--but let's face it, there are some unpleasant parts of pastoral ministry. So even PASTORS can be encouraged by these verses from Colossians.

I am going to issue this challenge to you: the next time you find yourself facing an unpleasant task--you know, the thing you have put off for days/weeks/months/years--make a decision to "work at it with all your heart." Don't think of it as something to be avoided; think of it as a way to serve Jesus Christ. If it's a person you don't want to face, try to see Jesus on the face of that person. If it's a task to be completed, think of all the prayer you can have while you're working.

God has given each of us things to do in our lives. God has given us work and purpose to fill our lives. And God requires our obedience in all the tasks HE has given to us. Remember, you are serving the Lord Christ and not your fellow man (or woman, as the case may be).

Bonus Pondering

Since many of you may have some extra time on your hands, here's a bonus question:

How do you interpret God hardening Pharaoh's heart? There seem to be three options:
1. God is in total control of the situation and is controlling Pharaoh's actions, so Pharaoh is simply doing what God wants him to.
or
2. Pharoah has complete freedom of will and is using his will throughout the story and God is not in control in the story.
or
3. Pharaoh, as with all God's enemies, is ultimately doomed to fail in his pursuit of oppressing God's people but he acts according to his own will in the unfolding of the story.

There's no right or wrong way to interpret this or any text. Which interpretation do you prefer? Or do you not like any of them?

Click on the icon below this post that says "comments" and, in the pop up box, tell me what you think!!

Allison

Softening the Heart

Good morning! I hope you're staying in today. If you're going out, BE CAREFUL! I gave myself a 2 hour delay this morning, in honor of the horrible weather!

Here's the question and answer from yesterday:
Tues, Jan. 27: What is Moses disappointed about at the end of Exodus 5?
Exodus 5:22-23 22 Moses returned to the LORD and said, "O Lord, why have you brought trouble upon this people? Is this why you sent me? 23 Ever since I went to Pharaoh to speak in your name, he has brought trouble upon this people, and you have not rescued your people at all."

And here's the question of the day:
Weds, Jan. 28: What does the fool say in his heart? (Ps 14)


And here's the reflection of the day:
I've read this story about Moses/Aaron (they seem to function as one person!) and Pharaoh before, and I've always wondered about the hardness of Pharaoh's heart. What did that mean? Did Pharaoh harden his own heart? Did God harden Pharaoh's heart? Did they each have a part to play? Why didn't God just soften Pharaoh's heart from the beginning and save Himself the trouble of all those plagues?

However you seek to answer those kinds of questions, there is no doubt that there are many hardened hearts in the world around us. Did God harden them for a reason? Do we harden our own hearts against God and others? I do a lot of praying that God would soften hearts. I do a lot of praying that God would repair the broken relationships in the community around me. Hearts do not become hardened overnight; hardened hearts are like callouses. They don't spring up overnight but as a result of repeated actions.

We all have relationships that are broken, wounds that have hardened our hearts. Perhaps the person who caused it is no longer in our lives, but still we insist on holding a grudge. Moses/ Aaaron and God are persistent in the face of Pharaoh's hardened heart. God is persistent in light of the hardness of all our hearts. How can we be more persistent in seeking reconciliation? How can we faithfully seek to repair broken relationships?

Happy pondering!
Allison