AUGUST 8
WORK AS FOR THE LORD
Colossians 3:23-24
23 And whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord, and not for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. (WEB)
Our biggest struggles can occur when we try to draw our lives from horizontal sources. Whether we live for the approval of a spouse, a pastor, a parent, or a boss, it is all the same to God. Jesus lived a vertical life. He lived to please His Dad, and His life source also came from Him. Jesus wasn't a people pleaser and wasn't affected by the approval or rejection of fickle people. His eyes were fixed above the things of heaven, which caused Him to affect many people on earth.
In today's Scripture reference, the Apostle Paul tells us to 'work heartily, as for the Lord, and not for men.' If we do that, our perspective on work will even change. We aren't working for a demanding, harsh taskmaster but for our loving Savior and elder brother. If mere men misuse us as we do our daily work, it won't be nearly as frustrating if our focus is heavenward.
My prayer today is that we would know that whatever we are called to in life, we are called to do it unto the Lord. Whether working, resting, parenting, ministering, etc., we do what we do with a vertical perspective. The more we fix our eyes on heaven, the more every horizontal relationship around us will be transformed.
Colossians 3:1-3
1 If then you were raised together with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated on the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. (WEB)
23 And whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord, and not for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. (WEB)
Our biggest struggles can occur when we try to draw our lives from horizontal sources. Whether we live for the approval of a spouse, a pastor, a parent, or a boss, it is all the same to God. Jesus lived a vertical life. He lived to please His Dad, and His life source also came from Him. Jesus wasn't a people pleaser and wasn't affected by the approval or rejection of fickle people. His eyes were fixed above the things of heaven, which caused Him to affect many people on earth.
In today's Scripture reference, the Apostle Paul tells us to 'work heartily, as for the Lord, and not for men.' If we do that, our perspective on work will even change. We aren't working for a demanding, harsh taskmaster but for our loving Savior and elder brother. If mere men misuse us as we do our daily work, it won't be nearly as frustrating if our focus is heavenward.
My prayer today is that we would know that whatever we are called to in life, we are called to do it unto the Lord. Whether working, resting, parenting, ministering, etc., we do what we do with a vertical perspective. The more we fix our eyes on heaven, the more every horizontal relationship around us will be transformed.
Colossians 3:1-3
1 If then you were raised together with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated on the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. (WEB)