Daily Archives: November 16, 2011

 

Colosians 3:23

²³ Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.

 

Work is a fact of life, and I’ve had jobs I loved, and jobs I hated, but I’ve always tried to do them as unto the Lord.  Yesterday’s In Touch devotional from Dr. Charles Stanley dealt with this subject and I would like to expound upon it too.  Work can be trying, tiring, and troubling, but it doesn’t have to be.  Work can be a wonderful boot camp for getting us trained to live “the Real Christian Life”!  I’ve heard more than a few people say, “Why would I want to be a Christian, have you seen how they act?!”  Sadly, that is  often true.  Christ told us to love one another, to help one another, to forgive each other, to not judge others.  How are we doing?  I won’t speak for any of you, but I know how miserably I’ve failed on all those points myself!

 

No, I’ve not always been a good example of what I believe God has called us to be.  But there is hope!!!!   Please let me make a little list of things that have helped me, and I believe will help you, to live more in keeping with what our Heavenly Father has required of us.  This is a pretty simple list, but it is powerful when lived out in our daily walk.

 

(1)  Remember and practice the Golden Rule, “Do unto others as you would have others do unto you.”  You can never go wrong by treating others with the same respect you would like to be treated with. Have a smile and a kind word, and encouragement for everyone.  Remember that their is no one beneath you, we are all in  this world together, some have been less fortunate, but no one is worthless.  Some exhibit behavior that is terrible, but Jesus died for them, as much as he died for you!

 

(2)  Leave judging up to God.  It’s easy to look around and make a pronouncement of the actions of others, but it’s not our job, God’s got that covered!  Any time you see something in someone else that you don’t like, ask yourself if you’ve ever been guilty of the same??  It will stop judgement in it’s tracks!  Judgement is too big a job for mere mortals!

 

(3)  Forgive those that have hurt you.  We have all done things that we are very ashamed of; actions, words, and thoughts that we would love to sponge away from our lives.  Jesus died so we could be forgiven for all of that!   How could we be offered forgiveness for all we’ve done, and fail to offer it to others.  The love that grows out of forgiveness is beautiful indeed.

 

(4)  Trust in Him.  In our world today, it’s very hard to find anything that you can say you have complete trust in, but you can fully, completely, totally, believe in, and trust in Him.  He wants you to have peace, and that is only possible when you begin to realize He is worthy of your trust.  He will never leave you or forsake you.

 

(5)   Take time, every day, to count your blessings, for they are many!!  Seriously, sit down some time  today an take a pad and pen and start a list of all the things that you’ve been blessed with; a husband or wife, children, grand children, family, a job, food on the table, a roof over your head, laughter, love, the kindness expressed by others, fun things to do, wonderful things to look forward to, the list will be very long indeed.  Every time the enemy comes knocking at your door trying to tell you how awful your life is, pull out your list and wave it in his face, and call him the lier that he is.

 

When you go to work, thank God that you’re employed, ask him to help you deal with those that can be difficult, love those that need someone to love them, show kindness to those that feel empty. Be a friend to the lonely.  Ask Him to help you to be patient with those that try your patience,  to be helpful to those that need help.  Ask Him to show you what others look like in His eyes.  When you see others with His great love and compassion, you will be moved to work in a way that honors him and brings joy to others.  Be great at what you do, for Great is He, that is in you!!!!!

 

Have a great day at work………

 

the pilgrim