UncommonSample

“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” Colossians 3:23-24

The Apostle Paul tells us not to wait on our job descriptions or perfect work environments to work as unto the Lord. He’s telling us to throw ourselves into where God has us. When our focus and motives are “of God,” it changes everything:

1. The quality of my work.

When I was in the Navy, I was able to work at the Pentagon for a time as a cryptologist. But everyone has to serve “sea time eventually.” So, I was transferred to Charleston, South Carolina, and miserable. I went from a high-profile job to serving on the oldest ship in the Navy. Not a warship, a supply ship. As a man in my late twenties, you can imagine the injustice and anger I felt.

When it was time for my evaluations, my Captain told me I was the worst sailor he had ever seen. He complained about my attitude and my arrogance. Afterward, I went to my car and wept. I did not weep because of the dressing down of my commanding officer. I wept because here I was preaching the gospel, and yet the quality of my work did not reflect God at all. I knew at that moment I had misrepresented my Savior.

So I made a decision that evening to work unto the Lord. Even though I was not passionate about what I did for a living, I was passionate about Jesus, and that’s what I wanted to reflect on. I decided to be the first to arrive, the last to leave, and the first to volunteer. I immediately adjusted my attitude from disdain to heartiness.

2. The environment of the work.

A year after my work ethic changed, everything changed at work. The crew I once disliked were now my buddies. The commanding officer who once called me the worst sailor now said I was the best and was sad to see me go. People were drawn to me because they saw I represented who I loved - Jesus.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

1. Which of these three mind changes do you need to make in your work life right now?
2. How is the quality of your work? Are you a set-apart employer/employee?
3. Are you adding Jesus to your work environment, or are you adding toxicity or complacency? Do you represent Christ at your job?