Work With All Your Heart

This morning I thought I would read from Paul's letter to the Colossians. While I normally will start in a chapter with my highlighted verses, this morning I started reading in the little bit of this chapter that wasn't highlighted.  Anyway, this approach led me to two verses that were helpful for me this morning. HEre they are - Colossians 3:23-24 NIV:

[23] "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, [24] since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving."

Lately I have been absolutely slammed at work, putting in 60-70 hour weeks consistently, traveling a bunch, missing times of prayer, etc.  Sometimes I am so focused on my work, for it is quite mentally demanding, that I lose any sense of being aware of the Lord or hearing His voice.  I have read these verses many times, and while they are quite familiar, today they were helpful to me in setting my heart at peace. 

I know that I am in this job through the Lord's clear direction and help, and my being in this role is part of His plan for me.  Sometimes I forget that fact, and these verses helped remind me today that my working hard at this job, is actually a form of worship.  I am embracing fully God's plan for my life, agreeing with His direction and laying down my life to do this role to the best of my ability.  Even though I don't always feel like it, I am serving Him. My work, my effort, my attention, my energy are being focused on doing that which He has directed me to do, and that encouraged me today!!

I think at times I become so lopsided in my thinking that I feel the only ministry that matters is "ministry" and all other forms of employment are somehow "less than" in God's eyes. I was talking to a young man a few weeks back and he was expressing this very thing, as a fault in the younger generations of Christians, that somehow they think the only call of God that matters is the call to "ministry" and everything else is somehow inferior.  

This morning as I write, I am reminded of the 30 years of life that Jesus lived as a carpenter's son and then as carpenter Himself.  He so thoroughly fulfilled this role that people in his hometown couldn't believe He was the Messiah (See Matt 13:54-57). While we often think that this hidden life that He lived in some way was less, the Father was very clear about His affection for Jesus at His baptism, which occurred before He started His active ministry.  His words are recounted by Luke 3:21-22 NIV:

[21] When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened [22] and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”

This morning I am encouraged that I am doing exactly what the Lord has called me to do, and so in doing my job, I am working for Him.  While I might be an employee of my company, I am an adopted son of the Father, and He takes pleasure in me, in my work in my efforts, and in me!  He is well pleased when I serve Him to the best of my ability, even if it isn't in "ministry"! 

Thank You Lord!