Willingly

SCRIPTURE: Colossians 3:23-24 NLT 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.

THOUGHT: For the rest of the week, I’m looking at the place of work in our lives in a nod to Labor Day. We can’t really separate spiritual life from the rest of life, although we attempt that constantly. Paul saw work as an extension of spiritual life, telling the Colossians they were really working for Jesus, and it was from God they would ultimately be rewarded. I wonder if you struggle like me to keep hold of that truth when the chips are down, you have a challenging boss (or employees!), you’ve been laid off or worse, or you just can’t seem to find work with the meaning or purpose you imagine it should have? Trusting God in your work solves a lot of issues – you can put God in charge of your day and your future, then leave everything in those capable hands while you work, willingly, at whatever is in front of you.

SONG: The Blessing https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZ55mDL7dA0

PRAYER: God-With-Us at our work, whether we work with children or adults, computers or shovels, words or rocks, food or finances – help us trust you with our days and our futures, working willingly at whatever we do.