Today I’d like highlight two verses that have been on my mind and heart recently. While it is often easy to take verses out of context and apply meaning that isn’t really there, I believe these two can stand on their own comfortably and have a great meaning and impact on every Christian, no matter where they are in life or society.

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. (Colossians 3:23-24 ESV)

A little background on this passage: Paul is writing a letter to the church in Colossae and providing instructions to the believers on how they ought to behave and act at work, in society, and in their family. Interestingly, his companion in delivering this message was Onesimus, a slave who had run away and likely stolen from his owner, Philemon (if that name sounds familiar, there’s also a short letter in our Bibles from the Apostle Paul to Philemon). After deserting his owner (a serious offense in that time!), Onesimus met Paul, got saved, and was returning to Philemon.

Here, Paul is exhorting believers of all statuses, from the great to the slave, to do everything they do as though it was in direct service to the Lord. It didn’t matter if you were doing grand work or menial tasks – none of that mattered. Attitude, heart, and motive mattered.

As with most things in scripture, not much has really changed today. We are called to do everything as though we are doing it for God Himself. If we were to take that seriously, how might it change our day to day lives? Doing the dishes, driving the kids to school, ticking off tasks in the annoying software at work, serving at church, or even our time with God in prayer and His word. The list goes on and on. As if often the case, the invisible tasks, the ones that create no fanfare, seem to be what bless the Lord more than anything else. God likes to be worshipped in secret where only He receives the glory, not us (Matthew 6).

This weekend, let’s spend some time considering how we can do everything in life as though it is for the direct service of the King. How can we change our attitudes and thoughts towards the tasks that perhaps seem unnecessary, menial, or even beneath us? If we do those things with the understanding that, according to Scripture, we are doing them for the LORD God Almighty and that He rewards for good service, will we do them the same way we have before? Or would we put a little more effort into them? For me, I know there’s a lot of room for growth here. How ‘bout you?

Praying that you and your family have a very blessed and wonderful weekend ahead!