"Heartily"
When our children reached the age of entering the workforce, we taught them several basic characteristics and practices that would serve them well, and more importantly, serve the Lord and their employers well.
1. Show up on time.
2. Have a respectful, "ready to work" attitude.
3. Do your assigned work better than expected.
4. If you finish the work assigned, look for other productive ways to stay busy and benefit the workplace.
To the credit of a wonderful Lord and a great mother who served (and serves) as an incredible example, they listened and are doing well in their respective careers. I am grateful, and can say with all sincerity that our daughters and son now serve as a model to me of how to fulfill responsibility in an exemplary manner.
"Whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men" (Colossians 3:23).
Nothing more fulfills our hearts than doing what we do "heartily, as to the Lord." We all work for Him first and foremost. Personally, I feel this most keenly when preaching and writing. I have confidence that this is what our Heavenly Father called me to do more than forty years ago. When I practice these callings, I feel within myself the strongest compulsion to give everything I have, as provided by the Lord, in every message. I don't know how well I actually accomplish this, or how it comes across, but I am determined to never communicate the Gospel with any sense or sensibility other than "heartily." I am completely aware that such a determination does not originate in myself, but rather in a faithful Lord who promises to motivate, guide, and empower us as we show up at His throne of grace with a humble, trusting attitude. "It is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure" (Philippians 2:13).
"Here am I, send me" offered the prophet long ago when his Lord sought someone to send for His purposes (Isaiah 6:8). What an example of humble consecration to God and to people. Even more, consider that in the eternal counsels of God, an even more humble and glorious One offered Himself to His Father for the purpose of our eternal redemption. "I am from Him, and He hath sent Me" (John 7:29). Indeed, the Lord Jesus Christ forevermore serves as the most wondrous example of showing up with a trusting and submissive attitude to fulfill responsibility. "I do always those things that please Him" (John 8:29). I think of that sometimes when I gratefully consider our childrens' attitude and work habits. It is a blessed pondering, and how much more our Father must be blessed by His Son's "heartily" devotion to God and people...
"Whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God."
(I Corinthians 10:31)
"I must work the works of Him that sent Me."
(John 9:4)
Weekly Memory Verse
"O God, Thou art my God, early will I seek Thee."
(Psalm 63:1).
5581
No comments:
Post a Comment