Joyless Work
23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
Colossians 3:23-24
I’ve always had a patchy relationship with work. I like it, but I hate it. Like many of you, I don’t want to work. So when I see Paul say, whatever you do, work at it with all your heart - I feel a bit of a sinking feeling. I just don’t want to.
What about you?
It’s another one of those areas in life where we know what we should do, but we just don’t want to. And it’s hard to manufacture. It’s hard to just muster up that drive. Particularly for God. Let’s be honest. Money is what gets most of us working - money for the sake of family or pleasure or just survival.
And it’s difficult right. Is it the job? Is it the colleagues? Is it just a season? Or is it you? Well, I can’t answer those questions for you. But what if it is you? What if you don’t need a change of situation but to be changed yourself?
What if you have tried changing jobs or it’s just been a long time since you really felt driven to honour God with your work? How could we change that? How could we do what Paul is encouraging us here? Well, let me give you a few thoughts:
And ultimately trust. Trust God that He can change you.
For Today:
Pray:
Praise the Father that He is always at work for the sake of His people.
Give thanks for Jesus for His work on the cross and the reward He earned for us.
Ask God for His Holy Spirit to help you and others work hard for the Lord.
Colossians 3:23-24
I’ve always had a patchy relationship with work. I like it, but I hate it. Like many of you, I don’t want to work. So when I see Paul say, whatever you do, work at it with all your heart - I feel a bit of a sinking feeling. I just don’t want to.
What about you?
It’s another one of those areas in life where we know what we should do, but we just don’t want to. And it’s hard to manufacture. It’s hard to just muster up that drive. Particularly for God. Let’s be honest. Money is what gets most of us working - money for the sake of family or pleasure or just survival.
And it’s difficult right. Is it the job? Is it the colleagues? Is it just a season? Or is it you? Well, I can’t answer those questions for you. But what if it is you? What if you don’t need a change of situation but to be changed yourself?
What if you have tried changing jobs or it’s just been a long time since you really felt driven to honour God with your work? How could we change that? How could we do what Paul is encouraging us here? Well, let me give you a few thoughts:
- Pray - ask God to grow you in ‘godly ambition’ and desire.
- Remember - commit to starting your day remembering who it is you serve, what He has done for you in Christ and the inheritance you look forward to.
- Ask - talk to Christians who do work hard and seem to desire to honour Christ with their work, what motivates them?
And ultimately trust. Trust God that He can change you.
For Today:
- How do you feel towards your current work/roles?
- Why do you work? Who do you work for?
- What could you do to help you work with all your heart for God?
Pray:
Praise the Father that He is always at work for the sake of His people.
Give thanks for Jesus for His work on the cross and the reward He earned for us.
Ask God for His Holy Spirit to help you and others work hard for the Lord.
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