“Rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man” – Ephesians 6:7
Sometimes work can be a four-letter word! God created work before the fall into sin. It was given to be a blessing, a source of meaning, purpose, and provision. However, when mankind fell into sin, work was cursed. It became difficult and quite unpleasant in many cases. That’s true whether your work is going to school as a student, working in a paid job to provide for yourself or your family, caring for loved ones of any age, or whatever else. Sometimes work will be hard. Sometimes it will be miserable. Sometimes it will hurt even after you’ve left it behind. It can be frustrating, disappointing, and humiliating. It can leave you in tears or fill you with rage.
Often, the source of our greatest anger, frustration, struggle,, or sorrow is someone we’re “working for”. A supervisor. A customer. A teacher. A student. A difficult parent, spouse, or child. Someone unappreciative. Someone maddening. Someone hurtful. What Paul says in this verse is tremendously helpful in those times when work is very much a four-letter word. When you hate it, don’t want to continue with it, but you must anyway. He says, don’t focus on that earthly person who’s causing you such distress. Do every bit of your work as if God the Father is your one and only supervisor. Understand that God is the only supervisor and evaluator of your work Who matters eternally and He already loves you!
No matter what your job is, do it for the Lord rather than for a person, paycheck, or grade. Don’t dwell on that person who’s driving you crazy or leaving you in tears. Focus on the Lord! Understand that He sees your every effort as well as your heart behind it. Work hard. Work honestly. Work humbly. Work well. God will appreciate it, even if others don’t. Seek to please the Lord and let everyone else’s response be what it is. #FollowJesus