Girlfriends in God - July 10, 2007
The Worker
Today’s truth
Colossians 3: 23 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.
Friend to Friend
A woman was at work when the baby sitter called to tell her that her daughter was very sick. The woman quickly left work and she stopped by the pharmacy on her way home. When she came out of the pharmacy, the now frantic woman discovered that she had locked her keys in the car. Grabbing her phone, she called home only to hear that her daughter was worse. Looking around for help, she spotted an old, rusty coat hanger lying on the ground. She picked it up but had no idea how to use it. By this time, the woman was in a panic so she bowed her head and prayed for help. An old rusty car pulled up and out came a dirty, greasy, bearded man wearing an old biker skull rag on his head. The woman was desperate so she decided to be thankful for answered prayer. The man took the hanger and in less than a minute opened the car. She hugged the man and through tears of relief said, “Thank you so much! You are a very nice man!” The man replied, “Lady, I am not a nice man. I have been in prison for car theft and just got out an hour ago.” The woman hugged the man again and sobbed, “Thank you, God, for sending me a professional!”
We all want to be successful in our work. Your office may be downtown or just inside your front door. Your work clothes may be a
The Worker’s 23rd Psalm
The Lord is my boss, and I shall not want.
He gives me peace, when chaos is all around me.
He reminds me to pray, before I speak in anger.
He restores my sanity.
He guides my decisions that I might honor Him in all I do.
Even though I face absurd amounts of e-mail, system failures, copier jams,
back-ordered supplies, unrealistic deadlines, staff shortages, budget
cutbacks, red tape, downsizing, gossiping co-workers and whining customers,
I won't give up, for You are with me.
Your presence, peace and power will see me through.
You raise me up, even when the boss fails to promote me.
You claim me as your own, even when the company threatens to let me go.
Your loyalty and love are better than a bonus check.
Your retirement plan beats any 401K, and when it's all said and done,
I'll be working for you a whole lot longer!
(Author unknown)
God is Lord of all – or He is not Lord at all! Yet, we often fail to yield certain parts of life to His control. The reality is that 95% surrender is still 5% short. God wants everything we are or ever hope to be. Making Him Lord is the only way He can fully accomplish His plan and purpose in our lives. And until He is Lord, we will never be contented.
The workplace is a common area of life where we find it easy to live out our own agendas. For some reason, we seem to think that once we sit down at our desk, report for duty or clock in, we enter a “No God Allowed” zone. How sad – when He stands ready and waiting to not only equip and empower us to be the best employee we can be, but desires to pour out His blessings upon our work.
An even greater opportunity and blessing comes when God uses us in the workplace to share Him and His message of love and restoration with those who are seeking Him. God strategically places us on a chosen mission field called “job”. A fellow employee needs to see a godly response to unfair criticism. A boss needs to witness the quiet, gracious spirit of submission – even in the face of a difficult job change. A fully devoted follower may be the only person who reaches out and ministers to someone in need. Make no mistake, friend. Everyone on the job is watching to see if we are “the real deal”. It may be the most important “sermon” they ever hear.
I challenge you to do your work “unto Him” and see what He does in and through a life committed to making Him Lord of all!
Let’s pray
Lord, forgive me for my attitude about work. Today, I choose to see my workplace as an altar upon which I lay my service as a sacrifice of praise for all You have done in my life. Help me to love my co-workers in a way that makes them know there is a God. Help me to encourage my boss when he/she is overwhelmed. Use my voice and the words I speak to turn hearts toward You and Your love. Build in me the discipline I need to be a stellar employee who honors you and pleases you in the workplace. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Now it’s your turn
What do you see as your main purpose in your present workplace?
Are you happy in your job? Why? Why not?
Examine your heart attitude about your job. What changes need to be made?
List one person you work with that needs your love and encouragement: ____________________________
Make a plan - this week – to encourage that person in some way.
More from the girlfriends
Isn’t it amazing to think that God has fashioned a “work” for each one of us to do? We often think God is only interested in “church work”. Nothing could be further from the truth. When Jesus lived on earth, He spent most of His time outside the temple walls, with people. He visited their homes, their workplaces, their parties…anywhere people were is where Jesus wanted to be. We need to have that same attitude when it comes to the workplace. God has placed you in your job for many reasons. Today, celebrate the mission field called “work” and ask God to use you in a great way. Amen.
Girlfriends in God
Matthews, NC 28106
