It is always interesting to see that God uses busy people who work hard more than He does lazy people. I’ve often heard the statement that if you have a job that needs to get done ask the busiest people you know to do it. Why? They don’t mind working. Even Jesus, when choosing those who would take on His ministry after He had returned to Heaven and launch the New Testament Church, chose busy people. Peter and his brother, Andrew, were casting their nets into the water fishing when Jesus found them. This was not fishing for the sake of relaxation, fishing was their business. Then He found James and John getting their nets ready to go out fishing. And He choose them!How wonderful to love the work that God has created for you. It’s easy to begin to think about how one might get “out of” work. Culture pushes us toward a thought pattern that life begins once you retire from work. Yet, most people I know who retire are bored and looking for a purpose, because God created us to work. It’s a good thing. He uses us for His purpose through our work and He uses our work in us for the purpose He created us for.
In fact Jesus tells us to pray for workers to do the work of His kingdom. This work can be done through any form of earning a living that He has placed you in. I know artists, musicians, bankers, public school teachers, engineers (and the list is as long and different as there are ways to make a living) all who see their work as their primary ministry, and they should.
“Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” (Matthew 9:37-38, NIV)
Jesus wants us to be workers who are willing to give their best everyday right where He has planted them, in whatever job that may be. He told us to pray for God the Father to send someone to work.
God has created you as His masterpiece, full of potential. Now you must do your part in releasing that potential. If you see your work as something that is painful and you can’t wait to quit working, this is the day to ask God to remake your attitude. Don’t let anything or anyone steal the joy of work that God has for you.
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” (Col 3:23-24, NIV)