So Get To Work!
The Lord God put the man in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. Genesis 2:15
It is easy to complain about work. We may feel under appreciated, disappointed with our job, overwhelmed, or simply unmotivated. Though we may often feel this way, work is a blessing. Before the fall into sin, Adam was placed in the garden to work it and take care of it. God intended us to work before the fall. Once sin entered the world, work became frustrating. God told Adam it would be by the sweat of his brow that he would eat. Though work is now challenging, God gives us the talents and gifts to use in our vocation of work. As we work we are able to serve God and our neighbor. It is a blessing to work, and as we work we bless others. God continues working through us and providing for us.
God works through us to serve Him and our neighbor. Whether our work is being a doctor, cook, cleaner, teacher, engineer, administrator, farmer, etc., we can serve our neighbor and use the gifts and talents the Spirit gives us. Those gifts and talents are used for the common good. 1 Corinthians 12:4-6 says, “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.” We all belong to the body of Christ and play an important role in it. It is our responsibility to take care of the resources God has given to us, and to use them respectfully. We can appreciate all the different jobs that are done. The farmer who grows the food, the driver who transports it, the cashier who checks us out at the store. The janitor who keeps the facility clean. The nurse who takes care of us when we are in the hospital. The babysitter who keeps the kids safe and allows the parents to have a night out. Our jobs, though sometimes they feel small, overwhelming, disappointing, or difficult, are all important and help everything work together. Our Christian love should be at the center of whatever we are doing. As we use our time, talents, and resources we are serving God and our neighbor. So get to work, there is work to be done. The Lord’s work is our greatest task.
Prayer
Lord God, we know You have intended us to work. We thank You for the gifts and talents You have given us to serve You and our neighbors. May You help us find motivation to work as hard as we can, and to work with Christian love. Thank You for always providing for us. Amen