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).

Happy New Year!

Good morning! Happy New Year!

It's ridiculous that I am up at this time of morning (considering how late I was up last night!) but I thought I'd put my time to good use before anyone else wakes up and distracts me! Today is the first installment of "YEAR OF THE BIBLE!" I hope you're as excited as I am. Doing this will change you--you will be a different person at the end of this YOTB year because God will transform you. God is at work at you (Phil 2:13).

Allison


First of all, here is the question of the day:
Thursday, Jan. 1 How did God create human beings? (Genesis 2)


TGIM: "Thank God It's Monday" (Genesis 1-2)
It's interesting that one of the first things God does is get to work. He gets to work creating something out of nothing; creating the ground and the sky, the stars and the animals, creating us. In Genesis, we read that God put us to work too--caring for the land, tending to the animals. God has given us work to do creating and sustaining His world.

God has created us to be like Him, to be creators. Whatever our vocations may be, our jobs are a chance to be a part of God's creative work, work that is good. Work is our chance to make something good, to create order out of chaos. We may not all joyfully shout "Thank God It's Monday" on our way to work, but thinking of our jobs as somehow being a part of God's creative work will give your work life a purpose it's never had before.

The challenge for working folks is to figure out how God's mission is connected to your job. How can you serve God in the middle of creating spreadsheets, returning phone calls, and road trips? A tomstone in Yorkshire says, "God give me work till my life shall end and life till my work is done."

Friends, our work is never done because God's work is never done. That shouldn't depress us--that should energize us! God can always use us whether we're employed or retired, young or old, whatever our gifts, skills, and abilities. God's work is the kind that gives life and hope and fulfillment. During 2009, may you find where God's work intersects with your work and give your work life (even if you're retired!) purpose and meaning!