Nougat 17

Is there any amongst us who doesn’t desire to be paid for a fair day’s work? Even if it’s in kind (for voluntary service), we usually expect recognition from those who utilize our skills, service and experience. Today’s Holy Nougat may be comfort and/or challenge in this regard.

“Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ.” ‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3‬:‭23‬-‭24‬ ‭NLT‬‬

When our employer is Christ, it is not unlikely that we sometimes undervalue or overlook the perks of being on the Heavenly payroll. For, when we consider that the sign-on bonus is offered to any who makes it out of the womb, it is so easy to take it for granted. Until a crisis like Covid-19 comes along. How many of us have experienced a new appreciation for fresh, clean air after having to live with anti-pollution masks, or having survived the deadly disease? Yet, we may not have remembered that at Creation, it is God’s Spirit, yes, God’s very own breath, that poured life in us. For the most part, many people perceive that this has little bearing on our reality, as God’s breath is most assuredly different from the smog in our atmosphere.

Beyond the perks though, is the seldom-talked about wages for dis/obedience. If Death is the wage for sin, then our nougat today speaks about a reality in the now and beyond: God pays us, not only for existing, but also for our compliance with God’s commandments as well as God’s personalized plans for our lives. It is worth considering whether our current occupation (as student, retiree, or employee) is aligned to God’s will.

We therefore pause to ensure that we are not workaholics suffering from misplaced priorities – even if we are employed by the church – and that our Boss will be happy to pay us the wages due.

I wonder, if we had the chance to assess whether our work was truly up to God’s standards, should we access the wages of now and future.

Lord please be pleased with the way we live.

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May all we seek be found in Christ