Above all, put on love-the perfect bond of unity. And let the peace of the Messiah, to which you were called in one body, control your hearts. Be thankful. Let the message of the Messiah dwell richly among you, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, and singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. Colossians 3:14-17 HCSB
Our church conducts a food pantry for local residents once a month. Yesterday myself and another member went to pick up the food from Our Daily Bread which supplies the food and registers participants for our pantry. Picking up the food is a pleasant experience because although these people are very busy and have many satellite sites that pick food up for distribution, they are happy. They speak to each other in love and they treat us the same way. The environment is a fun place to be. After leaving there we met another couple from our church that helped us to unload the food at the church. We worked hard, but had a good time in the process. I enjoy going to church because our church has a spirit of love. Even on workdays it is fun and enjoyable because we work in love.
When Christians fellowship with each other it should be an enjoyable experience. At least, I can say that when I fellowship with my Christian friends we have a good time. Now rumors have it that there was a riot in our local jail last night where several deputies were hospitalized. I am asking that you pray for any officers and inmates that were injured in this situation. Now I am pointing out two extremes here, but you get what I’m saying. Often work environments are not enjoyable because there is no love. If you work with people who don’t love the Lord, chances are they don’t love themselves or anyone else. Now let me clarify that I’m talking about brotherly love here. In verse 16 where it says that we should let the message about the Messiah dwell richly in us and teach each other in all wisdom, singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, with gratitude in our hearts to God. It sounds wonderful doesn’t it. It sounds like some sort of La-La Land doesn’t it? Actually, it sounds like heaven on earth. The only way we can have this, is with an intense love for Jesus.
If you are in an environment that is less than desirable, bring Jesus in there. Focus on God as you work throughout the day. Work as though you are working for Him (Colossians 3:23). Now right now you naysayers are saying that it won’t work. Well, you won’t know unless you try it. And even if you are the only person there that loves the Lord, at least your day will be a lot better when you focus on Him. Trust me on this, love makes all the difference. When you have the love of Jesus in your heart, God honors what you do. He protects you (Psalm 91), He works all things out for your good (Romans 8:28). Now, if you are in a place that rejects Jesus’ love then follow the Holy Spirit and allow God to guide you in what it is you are supposed to do. Maybe you are to be the beacon that guides them toward salvation, or maybe you are to shake the dust from that place off your feet. Either way trust in God’s leadership. For many years I tried to leave a job only to find that there seemed to be no way out. When I cried out to God, he made it clear to me why I was there. I was there to lead my clients to the Lord whenever possible. I was there to plant seeds. I did this for a couple of years and God made a clear pathway for me out of there to a job that I liked much more. I knew that I had to continue to do the same in that job. We were made to be imitators of Christ (Ephesians 5:1-2). We were made to share His love. When we do what we were created to do we make the world a better place to be. Just imagine, if everyone had the love of Christ in their hearts, it would be heaven on earth.
Have a great day!