In a Rut at Work? Get Jesus in Your Boat
By Rick Warren
“Everything you do or say, then, should be done in the name of the Lord Jesus, as you give thanks through him to God the Father.” Colossians 3:17 (GNT)
Ever wonder why God isn’t blessing your work?
Ever wonder why you struggle to find fulfillment at work?
The answer might be pretty simple. Maybe you’ve never invited God to guide you at work.
In Luke 5, we’re told Simon Peter and his fishing partners were cleaning their nets after a long night without catching a single fish. But then Jesus stepped into one of their boats. For a while, Jesus taught a crowd of people from the boat—and then he told Peter where to cast his nets.
Peter reluctantly did what Jesus told him to do, and God did the rest. They caught so many fish that their nets began to break, and they needed extra help to bring in all the fish.
What was different about the period of time when they couldn’t catch anything and the moment when they had too many fish to handle?
It was the same lake, the same boat, the same nets, the same fishermen, and the same fish. The difference between empty nets and abundance was Jesus’ presence in the boat.
Jesus was a game-changer. They were no longer fishing by themselves—God was in their boat.
What is your boat? It’s whatever you do to make a living.
If you want God to bless your work, you need to invite God to be part of it.
This isn’t the same as salvation. I know lots of people who have Jesus in their lives but not in their jobs. To get Jesus into your boat, you need to dedicate your career to him.
When Simon Peter and his companions did this, God gave them more fish than they could handle.
How did these guys go from nothing to abundance? They let Jesus use their boat for his ministry.
God wants you to do the same. Don’t ask God to make you a success so that you can serve him with your career. Instead, do the opposite. Tell God, “I’m struggling in my career, but I’ll give you whatever I have to use for you to work.”
That’s when God does a miracle.
The Bible says, “Everything you do or say, then, should be done in the name of the Lord Jesus, as you give thanks through him to God the Father” (Colossians 3:17 GNT).
Everything means everything, including your career.
Maybe you’re in a rut right now and you’re brainstorming every option to turn your career around. You’re considering a move, a new job, or an entire career change. Perhaps that’s what you need to do.
But do this first: Ask Jesus to take control of your boat. Commit to using your work for God’s glory.
Then watch Jesus do a miracle.
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