Hi
Ever wondered about the source of work ethic? Or been troubled by the currents of employment and employability in these times? Perhaps today’s Holy Nougat is intended for you.
“Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.” Colossians 3:23 NLT
This is wise counsel. For the times we face now, with all its uncertainties and for ordinary time (if ever that should exist again). Knowing the Source of our employment influences our actions around them. And with the Lord as our Supervisor, it is likely that our goal will be to impress our heavenly boss.
Working unto God means that we seek God’s face before making major decisions and executing tasks. Interestingly enough, in the book, ‘Practicing the Presence of God’, Bro Lawrence argues that all work should be executed as an act of worship unto God. For him, the ‘lowliest’ of tasks is also included in our worship. (Housework, filing, clocking in/out, managing the workstation or staff; whatever we would consider as menial or drudgery). When we see it as part of our worship, our attitude will shift, for it is unto God, not others. We might also find ourselves incorporating prayer into our routines more frequently, opening the space for God’s grace and favor along the way.
I have also found that remembering Who is the Ultimate Boss/Supervisor reduced my angst in perilous times. For, if I work for the One Whose cattle resides on a thousand hills ((during Old Testament times), see Psalm 50:10); then economic crisis doesn’t affect God’s bottom line. There’s always something to be done. And room for transfer or redesigned job descriptions. Maybe not in the place with which I had become familiar, but I am assured that God has a plan. For you, for me, for all of us.
Lastly, if we are working as unto God, it also means that our tasks are God-defined. In other words, as believers, we ought also seek to discern God’s purpose in our placement. Since God doesn’t operate willy-nilly, we know that we are where we are for God’s purposes. Seeking God’s direction is this not only about help to execute the tasks of our 9 – 5; it is also about determining what God would have us do with our time, talents and treasure while there. To use the lingo franca, it’s about impact. Are we impacting others with our time, talents and treasure? How is God glorified through us wherever we work or study?
Perhaps it’s time to seek God’s guidance on the way forward for our assigned tasks as well as for our spiritual impact in these times.
In Christ’s love and grace . . .
