Daily Devotional: Thursday, Nov 5
Speaker: Ben Sigman
Theme: Momentum Reality
Weekend Music links on iTunes: Glorious One by Marcus Jones; All Over the World by Matt Redman; For Who You Are by Hillsong; Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone) by Chris Tomlin
Read: Nehemiah 4:1-23; Genesis 2:15; 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12
Proverbs Challenge Chapter of the Day: Proverbs 29
Think: Some people work pretty hard at avoiding work. You've seen them... you may work with a few that fall into that category! If you were a Seinfeld fan when it was on TV, you remember George. George spent a whole lot of time and trouble doing all he could to get out of actually doing his job. It was hilarious to watch on the tube, not so funny if that was your business partner in real life.
I know for me I'm the happiest when I am working or being productive. It fills something in me that I'm sure God placed there. In fact if we look all the way back to the Garden of Eden we see that God put the first man there in order to "to work and take care" of the garden. It seems to me that God in His infinite wisdom was providing Adam with something that contributed to his well-being and happiness...work.
As we've read and studied the Book of Proverbs, we have seen God's warnings against laziness and His prompting to work. And because I see His heart for His people conveyed throughout Scripture, I am completely convinced He wants our jobs to be fulfilling. And even more than that, something we can put our hearts into. Just as Nehemiah said of his team as they worked to rebuild the wall around Jerusalem, "the people worked with all their heart." If your work leaves you with an ulcer or so stressed out you can't enjoy it, maybe its time to explore what else God has for you!
For the rest of us, we just may need an attitude adjustment to realize our job is a blessing! Through it we provide for ourselves, our families, our church... And as we carry out the work that God has blessed us with, we can rejoice in the fact our commitment and sense of responsibility honors the Lord!
Do: God gives you the gift of work; do you see it as such? As you go through the day make a conscious effort to find the blessing in your work, and thank God each time you do!
Pray: God, I want to follow Your will for me when it comes to work. Forgive me where I haven't been as diligent as I should be. Help me to find joy in my work, and to carry it out in a way that honors You. Amen.
The eDevotional is written each week by a team of volunteers from Timberlake Church. |
