Fighting "Stinkin Thinkin" About Work

  And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men

                                                                                                                                    Col 3:23

Jobs - they come and they go. Some are hard, difficult, political, grueling; others are very cerebrous, mentally taxing, draining at times. There are days we just don't want to go to work because we know that we are facing onslaughts, drudgery, boredom or stress.  With these types of things, it is difficult to want to go to work sometimes.  And with today's work environments it is not always easy to keep spiritual minded things in the forefronts of our attitudes and thinking.    

Paul in Col.3:23 gives us encouragement to replace our egos and thoughts by understanding that we have a job, but we work for and WITH the Lord.  When the focus turns from “I’m doing this for my boss” or “I’m doing this for a paycheck” to "the Lord has asked me to do this," it completely changes our mindset. Paul uses the work "heartily."  Understand that you are not there alone, the Lord is with you. When He is with you, you can do anything that is right and good - and turn it into worship. The time will go by faster and the sense of accomplishment greater.  When we can appreciate that we are where we are because the Lord has made this available for me, or given me the opportunity, it becomes a whole new world.  Have you considered that God may have you there, not for yourself but to be an example to someone of godliness? Have you considered that you may be facing the things that you face to show others that there is a higher and Godly standard? Have you considered that what you are doing may be temporary because God wants you to learn something from here to carry you to a whole new level?

The very next verse states, "knowing that from the Lord you shall receive the reward of the inheritance. For you serve the Lord Christ. (Col 3:24)."  It does not matter if you’re digging holes, shuffling papers or signing bills; any job become a platform of worship if you do it enthusiastically for God.  An eternal perspective helps you keep your focus in your work of what is really important. Petty feelings, egos, etc. are for other worldly people - you are the Lord's and He calls you to be better than that.  Matt Redman in his song 10,000 Reasons, reminds us,

"The sun comes up, it's a new day dawning It's time to sing Your song again Whatever may pass, and whatever lies before me Let me be singing when the evening comes."

Amen! God is calling you to sing His song today. Will you be singing when the evening comes?

Jim