I talked with a close friend from home last night about the irony of The Lord.
In the States I worked the past 2 years in the construction industry. We sent most workers out to do the bare minimum on job sites (mostly sweep and pick up trash).
When I began my job selling temporary labor I always wondered why The Lord told me that’s where He wanted me to be. I spent most of 2019 struggling in my job and deep in learning/growing in spiritual maturity.
In 2020 there was a massive shift in my obedience towards the Lord and my focus in my job. I would read, “Whatever you do [whatever your task may be], work from the soul [that is, put in your very best effort], as [something done] for the Lord and not for men, -Colossians 3:23” pretty much every morning.
You see, work is a privilege. Work is something the Lord told Adam from the beginning.
Work is an act of service, not to man but to God. Ever thought about those years Christ was a carpenter? Yeah … work.
Today I worked on the construction side of the ministry. We picked up trash, rocks and swept. I felt ALL the emotions of the irony in my life. I use to send people to do this job and here I am, in Colombia, doing the exact job that the hands of others allowed me to experience.
The work The Lord is asking you to do HAS PURPOSE !
Every service of work is to The Lord.
The Lord WANTS to bless it and He will.
“Also to You, O Lord, belong lovingkindness and compassion, For You compensate every man according to [the value of] his work.”
— Psalms 62:12
Today I felt blessed picking up rocks with no visible reward and I have felt blessed selling day labor with visible rewards. I can’t tell you the difference because both were the same filling JOY He brings when your heart is positioned FOR and IN Christ.
My prayer for you friend is position your heart towards working for HIM no matter what it looks like today.
-xoxo Bex
This is awesome! Thank you for sharing and reminding us of the verse in Colossians.
Hey Bex (if I may us this nickname??),
What a beautifully humble description and analogy of your ‘work’ and your works in Him.
For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His [v]life as a ransom for many.”
Mark 10:45 NASB
“Love is the overflow of joy in God that meets the needs of others. The overflow is experienced consciously as the pursuit of our joy in the joy of another.” John Piper
Surrender and reflect the love that is Jesus Christ that He may be glorified. God bless you and your fellow missionaries. BC
Your analogy is tight on the money. Everything we do should be for Him. You are doing His calling, may many hear and believe. I love you ???? your other Mimi
Aw Becca I’m so encouraged by this! I thought it was so sweet how you gave a word at breakfast about serving the Lord with a sincere heart rather than serving man and then we were asked to do this rando task at construction. While I was sweeping I was thinking about you and your old job and thought it was ironic too. I love your attitude and the way you are able to exude joy no matter what you’re asked to do and I think it comes from a foundation of serving Christ rather than man. Thanks for sharing this story!!
I love this, such a great message!