Working FOR HIM

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, 24 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

It has been about a year since I have worked full time. And for the first time ever I am working full time without getting paid, interning I suppose, student teaching that is. For as long as I can remember, I have dreamed of the day I would have my own classroom, impacting student’s lives each day, and seeking to be a light in the midst of darkness. And here I am, living that “dream”. A little more than a month in and I can already see fruit. A little more than a month in and I can already see my own flesh seeking to distract, distort, and rest. A little more than a month in and I can feel the enemies gentle nudge and hear his deceptive lies.

What on earth am I talking about? The reality of WHY I am working and for WHOM I am working is a daily struggle, a battle that I must fight, and refocus is what I constantly need.

Many of the jobs I have had have been in ministry, church ministry, and the like. Because of that, it was easy to think of and see the connection between working and the purpose and master for whom it was being done. But there is something largely different about working in a place that is not the church, in a secular vocation in which working has temporal purposes more far-reaching, and the temptation to work for self, for one’s own praise and glory, and differently when people aren’t watching becomes more plaguing.

I have found myself realizing more and more that my focus on why I am working and for whom I am working for is not present on my mind continually. And yet, when it is not, is when I find myself weak, discouraged and empty. The moment that I refocus, that I fix my eyes on Jesus, and remind myself that I am working for HIS purpose in this teaching role, and FOR HIM, a new energy, joy, and hope fills my heart and mind and soul; one I could never manufacture. I have realized that I NEED this daily reminder because I so often forget. This reminder not only encourages me, but challenges me greatly. I recognize yet again that I must be working to the best of my ability (with the Lord’s strengthening), with faithfulness, with joy, with a heart that seeks to love and represent Christ…ultimately with everything that I have.

Because I am not getting paid for this job, it is a true test- A test of why I work, and for whom I work for. Do I work well only when I get paid? If so, then am I working for the reward of money? Do I work well only when I know I will be watched and evaluated by a boss? Do I work well only when my job is on the line? OR do I work well because God has called me to work well? Do I work well because God has called me to work as unto Him? Do I work well because He is glorified in that? Do I work well because it opens doors to the Gospel? Challenging, yes…impossible, no. For we know that God has given us ALL we need for life and godliness and because of that we are able to do ALL things He has called us to do knowing that He will equip where He calls.

May our hearts rest in His perfect provision of the places of work He has placed us in, knowing that we are there FOR HIM, to SERVE HIM, to work as UNTO HIM, and to GLORIFY HIM! Be the best you can be, knowing He is watching all the time, and know your labor is not in vain.