“Do you see someone skilled in their work? They will serve before kings; they will not serve before officials of low rank.”
– Proverbs 22:29
Yesterday we talked about how faithfulness trumps passion as we seek to live lives of excellence and influence in our calling. Today, I want to share with you another piece of the Biblical impetus behind that thought. In Hebrew, the word is avodah, and it means both work and worship. Do you believe that your work can actually be worship? There is a quote that is attributed to Martin Luther (though many today agree that he didn’t actually say it) that goes, “The maid who sweeps her kitchen is doing the will of God just as much as the monk who prays—not because she may sing a Christian hymn as she sweeps but because God loves clean floors. The Christian shoemaker does his Christian duty not by putting little crosses on the shoes, but by making good shoes, because God is interested in good craftsmanship.” You see, worshipping God through work comes from doing everything He has called you to with excellence, and excellence is birthed through faithfulness. As you devote yourself to a craft, don’t slack off or get complacent; invite mentors, invite criticism, constantly train and refuse to be like everybody else! Walk the narrow road that Jesus talked about in Matthew 7, and be one of the few who finds it by your willingness to struggle for continual improvement. As you do, your work will lead you to true and abiding passion. God is not a “get-rich-quick” type of Lord; instead, He’s a Father, and He mentors, trains and comes alongside you like a Dad. He knows you can endure the struggle; He just doesn’t want you to quit. You make Jesus proud as you sow seeds of excellence in your life’s work, offering avodah to your Creator, Savior and Friend. Isn’t that amazing? |
Prayer
God, thank you for being a good Father and for coming alongside me in my work. I pray for avodah; I want to worship you in everything that I do.
Reflection
How do you offer avodah to Jesus in your life? Do you feel that your work is a form of worship?
One Response
Yes .I most definitely agree. Whether it’s proclaiming the word of the Lord during the 7::30 am Sunday Mass at St Catherine of Siena Catholic Church . Or by singing karaoke at our Miami Elks 948 Lodge every first and third Saturday night of the month.I feel that what I do is a form ot worship . I give thanks to God and praise his Holy Name.As an appreciation for the many gifts that he has given me. I will surely say some prayers for Pastor Bobby and his son Cohen. As always I remain a faithful viewer of the Hour of Power and Happy and Wholesome Student in Jesus Christ