July 13 | Colossians 3:23-24

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DAILY READING

Colossians 3:23-24

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REFLECTION

All Work is God's Work

By Elaine Pierce

"It is the Lord you are serving" (Colossians 3:24b). These verses are challenging, in part because the reality of day to day work seems very different from serving the Lord. If you are working for a paycheck, you need to do a good job to continue to be employed, and your boss is the one who determines whether you get a raise or not. If you are working at home, washing dishes, changing diapers, or going to school, or if you are retired from a paying job, your day to day work seems far removed from anything that God would care about.

That attitude - separating the secular from the sacred - is not biblical, but it is so easy to fall prey to such thinking. "Only what I do for the church is important. My work for Company XYZ or my time taking care of children or my time as a full time student studying engineering or marketing or chemistry (fill in the blank) or my time volunteering is not what matters. Only when I serve communion....or teach Sunday School.....or lead a small group.....or usher....or serve on Council - only then am I doing God's work.'

But what does scripture say? "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. (v. 23-24a).

After the great fire of 1666 that leveled London, the world’s most famous architect, Christopher Wren, was commissioned to rebuild St Paul’s Cathedral.

One day in 1671, Christopher Wren observed three bricklayers on a scaffold, one crouched, one half-standing and one standing tall, working very hard and fast. To the first bricklayer, Christopher Wren asked the question, “What are you doing?” to which the bricklayer replied, “I’m a bricklayer. I’m working hard laying bricks to feed my family.” The second bricklayer, responded, “I’m a builder. I’m building a wall.” But the third brick layer, the most productive of the three and the future leader of the group, when asked the question, “What are you doing?” replied with a gleam in his eye, “I’m a cathedral builder. I’m building a great cathedral to The Almighty.”

When you work, keep in mind that you are building a cathedral to the Almighty. He created you to work, and you are serving him through that work, no matter how 'worldly' it might seem. Work with enthusiasm, with courage, and with joy. And give God the glory.

PRAYER

Lord, so often I don't think my work really matters to the kingdom, and yet you remind me that you created me to work, and all work is done to honor you. Help me this week as I work, to work with joy and thanksgiving, grateful for the opportunity to work and serve you. Amen.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

ELAINE PIERCE

It is a delight and joy to write Sunday's UALC Blog post. I have been a UALC member for 20+ years and I value our community of believers. I draw strength from God's Word, and it is my hope that you join me in seeking to grow closer to Him as we read, study, and pray together. I've been married to Gene for 47 years, and we have four grown children and nine grandchildren. It is an exciting time to be alive, and I count it all joy to serve him, even in the midst of challenges. To God be the glory, for the great things he is doing!