When I’m exhausted by the thought of putting one more second of time into producing something for someone else, to someone else’s standards, according to someone else’s timeline, I find encouragement in these verses.
I hope you do too.
1 Thessalonians 4:11-12
“Aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one.”
The boring parts of work don’t always leave us feeling fulfilled. The Lord calls us to un-glamorous, unexciting work. Whether the bland parts of jobs, like shuffling through paperwork, or the blah parts of working through life like doing the dishes, quietly tending to our affairs is part of our testimony.
Work is an expression of creating and stewarding what the Lord has given us. It is part of sustaining and supporting the affairs that the Lord has made us responsible for. When we quietly mind our lives and care for what He’s given through work and ordinary tasks, we evidence how we value all the Lord has provided.
Colossians 3:23
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters”
In your heart, your work can be unto the Lord. It needn’t be for your boss that you do your work honestly and to the best of your ability. Rather, reflect the character of the Lord. God made man, and He is sovereign over the systems we live in. That includes the workplace.
1 Corinthians 15:58
“Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”
Even work that seems in no way related to the Gospel can be used by the Lord for His good purpose. Sticking stamps on a stack of envelopes might just be a part of the work of the Lord today –and His work is never in vain.
Psalm 90:17
“May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us—yes, establish the work of our hands.”
You don’t have to figure out how refilling the copier’s ink can be made into a spiritual act. Your life’s work, surrendered to God and completed to glorify Him, is up to God to use as He will. Keep in mind that the work of your hands is part of God’s plans. He will establish it, He will cause it to bear fruit. He is faithful to us even in the little things, just as He calls us to be.
1 Corinthians 3:12-13
“…their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work.”
Doing work lazily or half-heartedly without concern for doing it well catches up to you. God knows your heart, your ambitions, your motivations, and your true efforts. Do quality work. It will be tested, it will be shown for what it is. Let it be through and through “our utmost for His glory.”
{Originally posted on My Faith Radio}
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Thanks for sharing these verses, Bethany. While I mostly enjoy my work there are tasks I don’t like so much and times when it is hard-going. It is important to focus on the fact that whatever we are doing we are serving God. I don’t know if you’ve heard the song “A Worker’s Prayer” by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend but it’s one I really like and your post brought it to mind.
What a great post Bethany! God’s call isn’t all glamourous, it’s real and it’s work. Thanks for speaking truth.
~Sherry Stahl
Xoxo
Amen, Sherry! Thanks!
“You don’t have to figure out how refilling the copier’s ink can be made into a spiritual act. Your life’s work, surrendered to God and completed to glorify Him, is up to God to use as He will.” Oh, what a true statement this is, Bethany. Our job is to do our work as unto the Lord. He will use it in the way He deems best. Thanks for this reminder today.
Blessings to you! I’m your neighbor at #HeartEncouragement today.
He will use it- yes, Gayl- that is what keeps me going sometimes! Thanks : ) Blessings back at ya!
Thanks for the reminder to do whatever work we are doing (whether exciting or not) with a heart that would please the Lord!
It’s so important to remember to do all things as unto the Lord. Thanks for a great reminder! Blessings!
Thanks Lesley! Same- I’m a doer so I typcially like work. But there always “those” days or tasks. Thankfu the Lord knows and speaks to that. Will go listen to the song now!