All on the Field: A Good Farmer—Having a Good Work Ethic - Thursday
Colossians 3:23
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart… (NIV)
A few years ago, a pastor friend of mine invited me to preach at his church while he and his family were on vacation. He graciously told me that I could preach on whatever I’d like—music to my ears! After all, it’s a lot easier traveling with a sermon you’ve already preached a few times than writing from scratch.
“Well, actually…” he paused in deep meditation on the other end of the phone. “On second thought… we’re in this series in Numbers right now…”
Okay, hear me out on this: ALL books in the Bible are important. Some of those books just happen to be a little bit more… exciting than others. Numbers just isn’t my favorite book (or anyone else’s, for that matter).
“Oh… oh, great…” I whimpered, trying to dodge where this was headed.
“I’ll let you decide!” he said cheerfully before the call ended. Now I was forced between two things I really didn’t enjoy: interrupting a church's teaching series, or preaching in Numbers.
Shortly after hanging up the phone, I ordered some lunch from an upbeat voice at the drive-thru window. “Hi! How are you doing today?” she asked in her bubbly southern accent. The line was long, and I could sense that the restaurant was incredibly short-staffed, but I could tell she worked hard and efficiently, laughing with her co-workers and helping any way she could.
Driving away from her, I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude and conviction. If this young woman put that much effort into making tacos, surely I could put the same level of care into preaching God’s Word. I drove home and immediately started writing.
I’d be lying if I told you that sermon in Numbers was one of my favorites to write, but it taught me a valuable lesson: Anything we do for the Lord is worth doing well. Paul’s words in our verse today to the church in Colossae remind us that whatever we are doing, we’re called to work at it with all our heart, as if we’re working for the Lord… because we are.
This applies to all of us today—whether we’re preparing God’s Word, or tacos for dinner.
Thursday’s Reflection
Have you ever seen someone who puts their heart into the work they do? Pray for God to reveal someone like that to you today. Even if it’s a total stranger, make an effort to thank that person for what they do, and ask how you can pray for them.
