Work as Worship

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters" (Colossians 3:23). As I indicated last week, the Wednesday and Friday editions of Wilderness Wonderings are new ventures. The Monday edition will continue its theme: Work as Worship. As we begin each week, we will be reminded that everything we do, whatever our hands or minds set themselves to, wherever our feet take us, all of it belongs to God and all we do should be done for his glory. Christians are salt and light in every aspect of their lives. The only question is how salty are we and how well do we shine the light of Christ? This phrase "Work as Worship" is at the heart of a ministry called, Discipling Marketplace Leaders (DML)." It's led by Renita Reed Thomson and supported by Immanuel Church. Occasionally, I will be using bits and pieces from Renita's newsletters. You can find out more about her ministry by googling Discipling Marketplace Leaders. Many of us in the Northern Hemisphere still think of ourselves as those who embody Christianity and bring it to the rest of the world. But the truth is that the bulk of the world's Christians live in the Southern hemisphere and they have much to teach us how to live as Christians. Material from DML comes from that half of the world. David Bosch wrote, "Mission is not primarily an activity of the church but an attribute of God." Immediately after the fall, Genesis 3 tells us that God set out to reclaim his fallen word. He began with a simple question, "Where are you?" (3) This challenges how we think about mission. Mission is not something we do when we leave our workplaces and enter a church building, go on a mission trip, or participate in a ministry program. Mission begins with God—and because we belong to Him and we are made in His image, we are sent wherever He has placed us. Believers in Jesus are God's missionaries, each day and in every place we go. We often ask, "Has God called me to ministry?" A better question is, "Where has God sent me?" God sends each of us on his mission. Wherever he has placed us—business, government, education, healthcare, agriculture, a social service agency, a volunteer position, our family home, or in a long-term care home – we are His representatives there. The important question is not, "What am I doing for a living?" but "Who am I working for?" Paul cuts to the chase, "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters" (Colossians 3:23). Our positions are not ultimately given to us to serve ourselves. They are opportunities to serve others. A title is not a trophy; it is a responsibility. Authority is not primarily about what we can get from a position, but what we can contribute through it. We will begin each week asking the question, "How is God calling me to serve him this week?" As you journey on, go with the blessing of God: Wherever God takes you this week, may He fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit and that you may live carefully—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity.