“Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.” Colossians 3:23 (NLT)
A faded blue post-it on my desk reads:
No changes.
Well done.
Brilliant.
Not bad.
Good job.
This mini-rubric helps me rank the quality of what I do as I receive others’ feedback.
It’s a silly way to measure my work, and one I rely on too much. But I realize doing my daily work well involves pleasing people.
You and I experience this in our day-to-day. Perhaps our work is evaluated by a committee of peers. Or worse, maybe our efforts are assessed by a finicky five-year-old with a fork and a growling stomach. Whatever we do, professionally or in everyday life, people’s opinions are part of how we measure our progress.
This makes it tricky to “work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people” (Colossians 3:23.)
How do we disentangle the people we serve or those we co-labor beside from our work for the Lord?
“For” is a crucial word in this verse. When we work for someone, we’re doing something according to their plan and purpose. We’re aligning ourselves with them, and submitting our will to theirs.
Working for God means joining Him in what He’s already doing. It’s less about coming up with things to accomplish and more about obeying what His Word has told us to do for centuries. We make our goals His everlasting goals, like the salvation of souls and growing in Christlikeness.
Instead of performing, we’re presenting ourselves as willing servants to the One whose work is perfect and lasts forever.
Where do other people fit in?
People are a primary part of God’s work. When we work for God, we’ll join in what He is already doing in others’ lives. Our interactions won’t be about proving ourselves, but about obeying God’s directions to love, encourage, and even sharpen one another. His goals for the people around us become our goals.
I find this so freeing, especially when I catch myself eyeing that post-it note too much.
God designed us to be encouraged by others’ praise, but not to be ruled by it. He calls us to serve Him by serving others, not to set them up as idols.
God designed us to be encouraged by others' praise, but not to be ruled by it. Share on XWorking for the Lord shows us that whatever we do, it’s not about us or about others. It’s about Him. This enables us to guiltlessly say “no” when people ask us to do work God hasn’t called us to. It equips us to make godly decisions and to walk with integrity in everyday life, even in the unseen. We don’t have to wonder if we’re living up to expectations because we’re living lives worthy of His calling.
So instead of receiving compliments like they’re a secret code, we’re freed to turn to God and say, “you’re so good! Thanks for letting me participate!”
How do you work for the Lord while serving others, without falling into people-pleasing?
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Amen, Bethany. Affirmation is wonderful but can easily become an idol (don’t ask me how I know). Working for God rather than for the praise of people is exactly as you say—so freeing.
So freeing! Thanks for stopping by, Lois!
It’s easy to get those two mixed up, I agree: are we working for God or for others? Are we looking for the approval of others when we serve them? I appreciate you pointing us back in the right direction today.
So easy to mix them up! Thanks for stopping by!
I loved reading your thoughts here. There are definitely times when I rely too much on other people’s approval instead of focussing on pleasing God.
Me too, Lesley! Praise God He redirects us!
Amen Bethany. Love your insights and encouragement within. Blessings.
Visiting from #22
Thanks so much, Paula!
I am always working to find (and to maintain!) that balance!
Me too, Michele. Thanks for joining in!
Doing everything as unto the Lord is very freeing! Yet, there is the reality of peer feedback that has to be kept in its proper place, so we grow but are not subject to it.
So freeing, yes! You summarized it helpfully, thank you!
Hello Bethany,
Thanks for the breakdown and thorough explanation of this verse, I especially love the way you explain the importance of the word “for” and how that directs the meaning of the verse. Working for God frees us from seeking the approval of others that can be here today and gone today.
Thank you! Your point about how fleeting human approval is makes good sense, wow! Thanks again!
For me it helps so much to constantly check my motive for the work I do…is it for me n my desires, or is it for God?
Checking my motive helps me too!
These days I am in the company of a 3 1/2 YO most of the time. When she tells me, “Great job, Mimi!”, giving me two thumbs up, my heart is filled with much joy. I am right where God has placed me – no competition, no public attention. I may never see the fruit of my efforts but find peace in knowing He is pleased I have followed where He has called me.
What a wonderful way to spend your days, Joanne!
I work for God, but he instructed my employer to hire me!
That’s a good perspective!