Enjoying Our Work

"And it is a good thing to receive wealth from God and the good health to enjoy it. To enjoy your work and accept your lot in life - this is indeed a gift from God. God keeps such people so busy enjoying life that they take no time to brood over the past." -Ecc 5:10 & 20 
 
Have you ever felt like life was pointless?  I know I have... sometimes life seems futile, boring, and useless.  We're all going to die one day anyway - what difference does it make if we do good or bad, we are foolish or wise, we spend a lifetime working hard or we spend all of our money?  We can't take our money or possessions with us... 

The writer of Ecclesiastes echoes these exact sentiments. He says, "People leave this world no better off than when they came. All their hard work is for nothing-like working for the wind. Throughout their lives, they live under a cloud - frustrated, discouraged, and angry." -Ecc 5:16 & 17 

Pretty depressing, isn't it?  But, then when he reflects upon it all, he concludes: "Even so, I have noticed one thing, at least, that is good. It is good for people to eat, drink, and enjoy their work under the sun during the short life God has given them, and to accept their lot in life. And it is a good thing to receive wealth from God and the good health to enjoy it. To enjoy your work and accept your lot in life - this is indeed a gift from God."  -Ecclesiastes 5:18 & 19 

Our actions on earth do make an eternal difference, even if we don't realize it.  I love that part above, "...to enjoy your work and accept your lot in life - this is indeed a gift from God."  Life is pointless without the one who made us to live this life, in our place, finding contentment, and enjoying our work - a gift from Him. 

Have you found a way to enjoy your work, and enjoy God's presence in your life, through seemingly futile activities?  If not, why not ask Him today to help you see the work He gives as a gift.  He desires that we experience purpose within even  our mundane day-to-day activities, because we have a relationship with Him.

In Everything...

"And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father." -Col 3:17
 
Imagine with me for a moment that every Christian on earth had a revelation of the "in everything" principle. What if we asked ourselves, at every moment, "Is what I'm doing now worshipping God? Does what I do glorify Him?" 

When we see worship as not only the lifting of our hands and voices on Sunday morning, life takes on a whole new meaning. 

Avodah (Ah-voe-dah) is a Hebrew word used in the Bible that has two distinct yet intertwined meanings: work and worship. Colossians confirms this in chapter 3, verses 23 and 24: "Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ."
 
If we saw everything we did as either an opportunity to worship God, or an opportunity to refuse Him and allow evil into the world, I would hypothesize we might gain a new understanding of what it truly means to be a Christian. 

If we're worshipping God in our work, we're not cheating on the expense reports. If we're worshipping God in school, we're not cheating on a test. And if we're worshipping God in our marriages, we're not cheating on our spouse - we're loving them as Christ loved the church, His people. 

Are you worshipping God... in everything? Pray today that God would give you the strength and courage to serve Him in everything.