Who Do You Work For?
This Labor Day is far different than one year ago. I read Debbie’s post from last year as she faithfully watched over my bedside making sure I was comfortable and receiving the care that I needed at Northern Colorado Acute Care Hospital. It was around this time last year that I had a major aspiration episode that delayed my surgery schedule and resulted in the removal of the lower lobe of my left lung.
My work for this year has been far different than anything that I have experienced in the past. It has involved the “work” of rehabilitation, doing what I can from a home office on special projects and trying to make Debbie’s workload for my care less of a burden. I think Debbie is relieved just having me around to look out after some of the family finances and things around the house that need attention. Of course a lot of those things have been taken care of by some great friends who continue to provide their support.
I failed to mention that yesterday for the first time, I used my four-wheel walker to get into the church building. This was the first time that I have sat in a “regular” chair for a church service since early July 2013. This is the kind of walker that has the seat between the “handle bars.” It provides an opportunity for me to sit and push myself backwards if I get tired. Some have suggested that I get a horn and a rear view mirror!
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men… Colossians 3:23 “…everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil—this is God’s gift to man.” Ecclesiastes 3:13
When we stop and think about it work is a fascinating part of our life. It begins with the childhood question, “what do you want to be when you grow up?” Sometimes work is a joy at others times it is a struggle. Someone once said, “find a career that you enjoy so much that you would do it for nothing and you will never have to work a day the rest of your life.” Work can be “just a job” a means by which we earn income to support ourselves and our family, or it can be a career. It can provide a sense of purpose and identity and enjoyment.
God created us to be productive. The earth was God’s gift to man to take care of, to be a steward over all that God made. Adam named the animals, he was to take care of God’s garden. It was when the curse came as a result of sin that work became difficult. We see slavery soon came into human relationships, so powerful people or nations would have others to “work for them.” We see the story of Jacob and Laban and are confronted with the issue of “fairness of pay for labor received.”
Jesus spent only three years in His active ministry. That means far more of his thirty-three years of life were spent in his work as a “carpenter” (probably stone mason) than they were in His earthly ministry as the Son of God.
King Solomon asserts that finding pleasure in work (toil) is a gift from God. The talents, abilities, skills, and passion that we have for our work should be viewed as a gift from God. They should not be viewed as our purpose; but the way in which God can accomplish His purpose through our life. That is because the Apostle Paul challenges us that our work should be done “heartily” “as for the Lord.” We are to give our employer our best and we are to do so in a way that would honor and please our Lord.
I recall hearing a story of a daughter of a Judge asking her father how he fulfilled God’s purpose through his work. After giving an off the cuff answer, he began to give that question consideration. It changed his whole approach to how he approach his work from the bench. He began to look for ways for his judgments to be redemptive in people’s lives and to really make a difference beyond just executing the consequences of breaking the law.
Relationship with Christ is about redemption. That applies to all aspects of our life including our work. Have you considered how to glorify Christ through your work?