work
Work.
It’s what we were designed and commanded to do.
In the beginning, God planted man in the garden and then gave him instructions to work. He was to enjoy paradise but he was not called to be idle. Care for the garden, name the animals, be fruitful and multiply. He was given a responsibility, and it wasn’t just any garden Adam tended to, it wasn’t even his. He was charged with the task of caring for the creation of God.
For as long as I can remember, I’ve wanted to be a wife and a mother. I didn’t grow up with my eyes set on a dream job. Some children dream of being doctors, teachers, artists, firemen – not me. I wanted to be a wife and a mother.
Somewhere along the way, as my dreams were becoming reality, I began questioning my career choice. In college, I choose a career path that might lead to a lucrative future only to find myself miserable until I fully submitted to the desire God had placed on my heart as a little girl – to be a wife and mother.
Yet what I had chosen as a job didn’t seem to be valued by others. Oh, you’re just a mom? Like you don’t do anything else besides care for your kids? When do you think you’ll start back to the work place? And the comments of others created doubt that what I was doing was actually valuable work.
But God’s word reminded me of the truth.
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” – Colossians 3:23-24
I am not just caring for my children. I am caring for God’s creation. Sure, I birthed them, but they are God’s very own design. And when the realization of that hit my heart, I better understood the value and purpose of my work.
And the same goes for you, my friend.
Those students you are teaching, they are God’s creation.
Those patients you are treating, they are God’s creation.
Those clients you are helping, they are God’s creation.
Those citizens you are protecting, they are God’s creation.
Those customers you are serving, they are God’s creation.
Those employees you are managing, they are God’s creation.
And while you may report to a manager or a boss or a board, you are working for God. You answer to Him. All work done unto the Lord is valuable. So whatever you do, remember that you are serving Christ, and work in a way that glorifies His name.
