Work With All Your Heart

Colossians 3:23-24
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. 

work: to function or operate according to plan or design 

A few weeks ago, our minister reminded us God created people for work. When He placed Adam and Eve in the garden, he directed them to take care of the animals and plants. God didn’t randomly plop plants, animals, and people into the garden. He did everything with intention and purpose.

I grew up in a home where we all worked. We had a garden to tend, yard to mow, house to clean, clothes to wash, plus jobs away from home. No matter what job we had, our parents expected us to do our best. 

As an adult, I babysat little ones while I reared my own children, then I worked in libraries and education for many years. Now I’m witnessing our kids and grandkids in the workforce. Thankfully, they all have a good work ethic.

Just as God expected Adam and Eve to keep pace with the work in the garden, He wants me to work with all my heart. Retirement doesn’t mean I’ve stopped working. I write and take care of our home, and I parent and grandparent. Tim still enjoys working too. Just because we’re retired doesn’t mean we stop doing the Lord’s work. 

I love this verse because I enjoy working with my hands as I lead a quiet life:

1 Thessalonians 4:11-1
and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.

Whatever work you do, do it for God’s glory.