“If you like what you do, you’ll never have to work…” Those were the wise words of my dad the day I was preparing to enter my first day of work at the CBN offices in Costa Rica. And when I think about it, my father was referring to the attitude that I should have in the face of any task that was going to be assigned to me, whether it seemed pleasant or not. The type of work to be done should not be an issue, but rather my heart in going about it.
We all dream of an ideal job where we get paid for doing what we love, where we have fun every day, have good colleagues, a good salary, and we do not feel like it is a burden or an obligation. But the reality is that for most people it is the opposite—a job that seems more like hard labor, because they must support their home no matter what.
Although we cannot always change jobs, we decide what attitude to take. We can see work and the circumstances of life as a burden; or we can decide to see it as a blessing from our heavenly Father, one that allows us to get closer to Him.
Romans 8:15 reminds us of what we have received from God:
For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” (ESV).
Thank God we have His Spirit — one that makes us part of His family. One that allows us to change our way of living, if not our standard or circumstances of living. We live not in bondage or fear, but in the closeness and love of God.
And just like my dad counseled me about what my attitude should be even when I don’t have the best job in the world, God also gives us clues on how to do our best every day, whether as housewives, carpenters, salesmen, police officers, doctors or students. It applies to everyone:
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ (Colossians 3:23-24).
When we do it from the heart we go far: As small as a task may seem, the impact can be bigger and more important than what you may see. On one occasion, we shared some cookies and juice in a children’s kitchen that partners with CBN and Orphan’s Promise in Costa Rica. At first glance, it did not seem like the most important job. However, we found out later that those little treats were the answer to the prayer of a child who had not eaten them for a long time and that simple gesture allowed him to experience the truth that God listens to him and cares about him.
The true reward comes from the Lord: Sometimes we think that salary is the most important thing, when in reality it is only a tool. We must remember that we are more than our work and more than a salary, our value and identity is not in what we do, but in Him who created us, in God, the one we can call Father.
The way we work will show not only the quality of what we do, but whose children we are. So, pray that in everything you do, big or small, those around you can see your heavenly Father at work.
Do you find yourself burdened down by the tasks of life? Pray with me, that God would lift your feelings and thoughts and help you to see His hand at work in your life; your reward is with Him!
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