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 3:17 HCSB

I want to address two questions today.  First, what are you doing?  Are you doing what you love or do you hate what you do?  Secondly, how are you doing it?  Are you doing it in the name of the Lord?  Or are you doing it begrudgingly making yourself and those around you miserable?

There are plenty of days that we may be faced with doing something that we just don’t want to do.  It’s how we go about doing it that makes the difference. Several months back, my husband was looking for a certain piece of stereo equipment.  We went to one store where there were plenty of sales people walking around, but no one offered to assist him.  We went to another store where he saw a piece of equipment in a locked case.  A young man came up with keys to the case.  The piece of equipment was on sale for a really good price.  My husband asked the young man if that equipment had a certain feature.  The young man replied, “I’m not sure”.  Not, “let’s look and see,”  not, “I will check for you.”, simply, “I’m not sure”.  Shaking our heads, my husband and I simply left the store.  I find it pretty common these days to go into a store and encounter people that obviously just don’t want to be there.  The same goes when you call a customer service department.  Now I am sympathetic to the fact that they are in a job that they hate, but it is not my fault.  I so appreciate it when a worker is enthusiastic about helping me.   Sadly, those that don’t want to help have become the norm in today’s society.  Many are simply taking up space and collecting a paycheck.  They don’t really want to do the job.  Those that willingly offer assistance, shine like a beacon in the night.

The difference is when we do all things for God’s glory.  When we do things in a way to please God and not man (Galatians 1:10), then we can make a difference.  Then people can see that light shining in us that gives them light in a dark world.  Then people may want some of what we have.

When we walk around like someone just licked the red off of our candy, nobody is gonna want that.

So, today I’m asking you to do a little self assessment.  What are you doing?  Are you doing what God has called you to do or what you want to do?  If you are doing what God has called you to do then you will have peace and joy.  Even if you were hesitant to do it at first, God will put a love in your heart for what you do.  Oddly enough if you are doing what you want to do, you probably won’t have that peace and joy.  You see, sometimes we choose a profession because certain aspects of the job seem fun or interesting.  Sometimes we choose a profession because of the money.  These are good reasons to choose a particular profession, but if this is not the profession that God has called you to do, then you probably won’t be happy there.  God doesn’t only call preachers to preach, He calls each and everyone of us into a profession or a job where He can use us.  If you are not working for Him in the job that He has called you to do, then you may not be so happy there.

Secondly, how are you doing it?  Are you doing whatever you do in the name of the Lord?  Are you doing it in a way that pleases God or in a way that pleases man (Galatians 1:10)?  Now right there, you are saying, I have to please my boss.  Well, Matthew 6:33 tells us that if we focus on God, He will give us all we need.  So I assure you that if you work to please God, then your boss will be happy.  If your boss is not happy, then I assure you God’s got your back.  He will work that out for you as well.

If you have not been saved, then my prayer for you today is that there is someone around you who shines like a beacon in a lost world.  I pray that you can go to that person and they can lead you to Christ.  If not, then talk to a pastor or a trusted friend or can also contact us through this website.

If you are saved, then I pray that it is obvious to those around you.  I pray that they don’t have to wonder whether or not you are a child of God.  I pray that you do all things and say all things in the name of the Lord.  I pray that those around you can see that you are grateful to God.

Wherever you are and whatever you are doing, I pray that you are doing it in a way that brings glory to God.  If you are then believe me, the peace and joy will shine through.

Have a great day!