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Your Job and God's Mission
Living for the weekend is a pretty popular phrase. It means that our job is a drag, and what we want more than almost anything is to wrap up our job and get on to relaxing. We want that weekend experience when we can step away from our job and do whatever we want. The problem with this is that work is something that God has given to us. It was part of God's plan from the very beginning. I think we often think that work is a punishment. Once sin entered the equation, we had to work as a form of punishment for our sin. But looking back at Genesis 1 reveals that God assigned work to Adam and Eve before sin entered the picture. They were told to rule over the earth, be fruitful and multiply, and finally, subdue the earth. This was their divine calling.
What's more, the Bible indicates to us that work is eternal. The Bible tells us God himself is "always working" (John 5:17) and that in eternity, the angels are working as servants who do what God asks them to do (Hebrews 1:7). We will behave similarly. So, if work is good and work is eternal, then it stands to reason that our approach to work should reflect that. In Colossians 3:16-17, God gives us something of a job description.
Notice how we are to work. First, we are to be close to God (letting the word dwell in us, teaching, admonishing, and singing together). This is our primary responsibility; to be settled in Christ, learn more and more about him, and become more like him. Then, as an overflow of our position with Jesus, we are to "do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus." We are to work as if our work reflects on God and points people to him. Your work is a specific directive from God that allows you to uniquely fulfill his calling to "do everything in the name of…Jesus".
Over the next seven days, we will explore exactly how we do this. Our prayer for you is that you embrace your calling to work in your job as a part of God's family.
Reflection:
- What do you think about after reading Colossians 3:16-17?
- What are ways that you have “worked as if you are working for the Lord” this past week?
About this Plan
Paul was a tentmaker. Peter was a fisherman. You don’t need to go into full-time vocational ministry to help fulfill the Great Commission, but realize you're already in ministry right where you are. Those who have the greatest impact on spreading the gospel aren't the preachers; it's the whole body of Christ. This devotional helps everyday Christians live out their faith in the workplace, community and around the world.
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