Many Christians don’t make the connection between Sundays and
Mondays. We separate our lives into two sections: worship and work.
But since the most basic definition of the word
”
worship
”
involves honoring, loving and serving God, it’s obvious that
worship is something we should do all during the week.
Many Christians don’t make the connection between Sundays and Mondays. We separate our lives into two sections: worship and work. But since the most basic definition of the word “worship” involves honoring, loving and serving God, it’s obvious that worship is something we should do all during the week.
Our relationship to Christ is to be like a marriage: full time. How many marriages would succeed if the couple only acted married on Sundays? True Christianity must permeate our entire lives, and since we spend so many of our waking hours at work, it is critical that we worship God there.
One of the keys to turning work into worship is choosing the right career. Some of us make our career choice based solely on the amount of money we will make; some of us select the path of least resistance, taking whatever job is offered, but God wants us to choose our profession on the basis of the abilities He has given us (Romans 12:6-8).
One of the most misunderstood words in the Bible is the word “perfect,” which we usually define as “being without fault.” But in the Bible the word is translated from the Greek word “telios,” which literally means “that which accomplishes what it was created for.” When a bird sings and does the bird stuff God created it for, it’s perfect; when an acorn grows into giant oak, it’s perfect; when a flower blooms, when a worm does wormy things, when babies do baby stuff … well, you get the idea. When we use the gifts and abilities God gave us, we are accomplishing what God created us for.
Many Christians think God only smiles when we are doing “spiritual” things. No! He smiles at the carpenter building a house, the mother building a home, the school teacher encouraging and equipping a child, the businessperson who works with integrity … we can please God in any job that reflects His plan for our life.
Do you remember the movie, “Chariots of Fire”? When one of the men was asked why he devoted so much time to running, he answered, “God made me to run. When I run, I feel God’s pleasure.” Why is it that most people don’t feel God’s pleasure in their work?
Surveys tell us that 80 percent of people in America are in the wrong job; they are working in jobs that do not reflect their strengths. In other words, they are not doing what God made them to do. Why? Because they let our culture’s values and standards (what pays the most and has the quickest promotions) determine where they are going to work.
The Bible, on the other hand, says, “Don’t conform outwardly to the standards of this world, but let God transform you inwardly by a complete change of your mind. Then you’ll be able to know the will of God” (Romans 12:2).
There are, however, two important considerations that must be mentioned. First, in almost every job, there are things you won’t enjoy doing. Nevertheless, they must be done, so you just do them. Secondly, some jobs are what we might call “transition jobs” (jobs we take while waiting or preparing for our permanent career).
How can we worship God through our work when we are in a transition job? By doing two things. First, by working as though we are working for God. Colossians 3:23-24 says, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as though you were working for the Lord and not for people. Keep in mind always that the ultimate Master you’re serving is Christ.” Then secondly, we worship God through our work by having love as our number one motive for working. 1 Corinthians 16:14 tells us to, “Do all your work in love.” Any job can be turned into worship when we model Christ’s love to our coworkers, clients and boss.
As John Ruskin once observed, “When love and skill come together, expect a masterpiece.”
Henry Harris is lead pastor of Rolling Hills Community Church, 330 Tres Pinos Rd. in Hollister. If you have questions or comments, please visit the church Web site at www.rollinghillsfamily.com, e-mail
pa*********@ro****************.com
or phone (831) 636-5353.
