Verse of the Day - Colossians 3:23

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.
~ Colossians 3:23 (NIV)

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I come from a hardworking family. My dad worked hard all his life in the mechanical engineering industry, and my mom in the clerical field until she retired. My step-dad worked in the appliance repair field until he retired, and both of my parents now still work hard in their golden years on their 10 acres in the Pacific Northwest. I have learned a good work ethic, and I believe that has filtered down to my children, who take their employment seriously and give a good effort on their jobs.

A strong work ethic is one of the most important things we can instill in our kids. But is that the same as "working as unto the Lord"? The Bible says that whatever we do, we should do it with all of our heart, as working for the Lord, and not men. How do we do that, exactly?

Our relationship with God is supposed to be 100% participation on our part -- we're to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength (Deuteronomy 6:5). Fully engaged, completely committed, nothing held back. And in work, we're to do it with all of our hearts, also. Sounds like a strong work ethic, doesn't it?

But I think Paul is teaching us to go beyond a strong work ethic, to reorienting our minds so that God is the boss, above and beyond our own self-interests or the interests of our employer. God's standards and agenda are higher than man's -- and they need to become our standards and agenda.

God,too, is a Father who teaches His children a strong work ethic. He is constantly working in the world, never lazy, never sleeping, always vigilant. And He calls us to that same work ethic. Beyond that, God's people are always on mission to reveal Him to the world. To shed light on His heart and His ways, so that others can know Him and their need for Him. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Sound familiar? If not, read Galatians 5:16-25 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=galations%205:16-25;&version=31; This is what the Holy Spirit produces in those who believe in Jesus. Can you imagine what the workplaces of the world would look like if all of God's people raised the bar and worked under God's standards and agenda? When is the last time kindness was the norm in your co-workers? How about patience? Faithfulness? See what I mean about God's people showing a difference?

Satan has duped the world into believing that greed is good, that stepping on others is a viable way to get to the top, that it's okay for the mice to play when the cat is away, to do just will get you by, to bend the rules when necessary to fly under the boss' radar. And when they listen to him, they're drawn further and further away from God, because He doesn't operate that way. So God sends in His troops to make a difference, to let the world know that Satan is a deceiver and a liar. That Satan's ways leads to destruction and death. That God's ways leads to life and peace.

When you show yourself to be dependable, hard-working, loving and kind on the job, you are living out God to your co-workers. So open the window wide, so they can see your Father as clear as day!

Love,
Joelene