For me, I worked at Dutch Village in Holland. I had to wear a Dutch costume and clean “the canal”. I walked around and picked up cigarette butts and pretended that “if you ain’t Dutch, you ain’t much!” I think I made $1.75 an hour. That’s a Dutch West Michigan wage if I ever heard one. I think I quit after 2 weeks.
It was a pretty thankless job. I will say that it gave me new respect for people who do jobs like that.
How do you feel about work? Do you live to work, or do you work to live?
Oftentimes, we are known for what we do. “I am a waitress”. “I am a Construction Worker”. I am a Stay-At-Home Parent. Many people see me as, “that guy on the radio”. But, I can not let THAT become my identity. But people see me as “that radio/runner guy”. What would happen if I lost my job? That title? If you’ve ever lost a job or would lose the one you have – would you wonder who you are? A friend of mine was let go from a job, and really struggled because the job became the identity. How you answer that question is an indicator.
In Colossians, Paul talks about work in this way, 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. Colossians 3:23-24
Paul is saying do whatever it is we do – do it with all our heart as working for God. No matter if it’s changing diapers, or changing items on the shelf at the store. Paul is saying that what we do needs to have the heart of doing the work as if for God. Whew!
You were created by God. He made you with a specific personality, talents, experiences and interests – these are the foundations of the identity of God in you. I have a gift of communication, so I speak on the radio, and have this little blog. And when you use your God-given gifts in the unique way only you can, you bring him glory. You’re reflecting how God created you.
I worked at a radio station, along with a few others, who were also Jesus followers. We realized it wasn’t all about being on-air. So, we weekly got together and prayed. Eventually, our numbers grew. We used the purpose of our work to help reach others. We used our gift of communicating and morphed it into something else.
I spoke to someone the other day who also started a small group Bible study at his workplace in a factory. That group has grown so much that it has now formed into another group. That is doing your job for more than a paycheck.
Or, a Mom who volunteers at the school serving Hot Lunch. She isn’t there to just scoop fries onto a plate. She said, “When I see those kids, I smile and give them a hug. It might be their first hug all day!”
I spoke to someone else who is a housekeeper. She doesn’t just clean the house, she prays as she walks through every room. She has seen kids go from crib to college. And, she has befriended each of them. It’s not all about shining the floor, she is trying to be a shining light for them!
You are God’s creation, you are his doing. He has a purpose for you to use what he’s given you. And, when you do that work as a way to honor God, there is a result. Others see Him, too
Whatever You Do! Go make a difference. Always run by faith.
(idea for blog inspired by my friend, Steve P.)