When I read this verse, some other verses about working and giving glory to God popped into my mind; I began to really study.
Do you think that God really cares what kind of "workmen" we are? Is our work really important to Him? Should we act and react in any certain ways in our workplace, because we are Christians? Is this something that we should view as important, whether we work outside or inside the home?
Yes, yes, yes, and yes! (To all four questions, I mean!)
Today I hope you will join me in opening the Bible and searching for some "proofs." It's important to know what we believe, and it is equally important to know why we believe it! You may want to include some of these in your journal if you keep one (and I hope you do!).
First of all, we are called to be excellent workers. It doesn't matter if we are working in our house raising children or grandchildren, making a home, or running a small business. It also doesn't matter if our work is outside the home, in any vocation. We are called.
Check out these verses:
Proverbs 6:6-11
II Chronicles 31:20-21
Romans 12:11
Secondly, we are representatives of God and His kingdom. Somewhere, sometime, there is someone watching you --- it's up to you to be a good testimony to what God has done for you!
Here are your verses:
Matthew 5:16
Proverbs 10:26
I Thessalonians 4:11-12
I Corinthians 6:20
Lastly --- who are we working for? For God, not for man. Check these out to confirm this fact:
I Corinthians 10:31
Ephesians 6:7-8
Colossians 3:17-25
I know that digging is hard work, but I think the results are great! You never know when one of these verses will come to mind and help you.
We have an awesome opportunity to elevate what we do, from drudgery or commonplace, to something that will glorify Him! He wants to work with us; He wants to bless the work of our hands; and He wants to allow us to bring glory to His name.
This reminds me to look at my work in a different way -- how about you?
The first verse that comes to my mind is 2 Timothy 2:15: "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth."
ReplyDeleteEverything I do throughout the day needs to be as doing it unto God. I need to be aware that it is my responsibility to be a witness to Him and to my faith to myself and anyone who may be watching.
Have a wonderful day! In Christ's Love, Linda
I so needed to read this. I continue to struggle with my attitude towards my job. The staff moral is so low. The management is so poor, and the way they treat us nurses is as if we were the very bottom of the dung heap. It seems as every other discipline in the hospital has something to say about how we nurses do our job, except us. It is so very difficult to go in and focus on the patients that we are supposed to be caring for, and to be a blessing for them. I can't imagine even trying to do the job without the help of the Spirit to cope. And some days it seems that the help from the Spirit is very distant. Oops, didn't mean for this comment to turn into a mini-rant. I have to remember, as you said, that ultimately, I am working for God, and not the hospital. That I am there to be a blessing to the patients, to offer them care and compassion, and "the cup of cold water" in God's name. Thank you for bringing this clearly to my mind.
ReplyDeleteWow! I've often be guilty of complaining at work, and being aggravated at things I have to do at home. I mean after all, they are really getting in my way!! I can't do what I WANT TO DO, because I have to do them...oh...wait...I'm not supposed to have that kind of attitude. What a hard reminder that I am supposed to do everything as unto the Lord. Attitude is everything, and I sure don't want people to remember me as a constant complainer and whiner... no siree!! Thanks for a great post Snoodles!!
ReplyDeleteI think it was easier for me to be content in my workplace outside the home than at home! And that is terrible to say, but the honest truth. I LOVE being at home. Very much. But I miss seeing adults and I grow weary of whining...oh wait, I am sure my husband grows weary of my whining too!
ReplyDeleteI do an important job. I've actually been better about enjoying it lately. I had to put computer time on the back burner and boy did that help!!