Manna in the Morning

In Romans 12:9-13 Paul describes Everyday Living for those who follow Jesus. We are exhorted to love in a genuine manner and to recognize the difference between good and evil. Paul encourages us to be fervent in our approach to living for God and the last thing he says in verse 11 is “serving the Lord.” Now it may be that Paul was saying that our service to the Lord should be with a fervent spirit and not just a mediocre, ho-hum attitude. But I think this exhortation can also stand on its own. As followers of Christ we are to be devoted to the manner of serving Him. I am not referring to what we do on Sunday as the corporate church is gathered for Study and Worship. I am thinking that this is to be an everyday experience as we see ways that we can serve the Lord in our jobs... in our play... in our homes... and in our interpersonal contacts with others. It is important that we remember who our “boss” really is. I have on my desk at home a glass plaque that reads, “My Boss is a Jewish Carpenter.” Each time I see that plaque I am reminded of the importance of serving Him wherever I am and whatever I am doing. When we come to the end of our journey it will, after all, be good to hear the words, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant. Enter into the joys of thy Master.” So, your day is ahead of you...serve your Lord faithfully.

I’m sure that you’ve heard the saying that we are to bloom where we’re planted. As you go to work today maybe your thinking... why does God have me here... in this place. So many work environments are not all that conducive to being a witness for Christ. And yet, we are called upon by our Lord to be light and to be salt. We are to let Christ shine out of our lives wherever we are. We are to be salt permeating the lives of people around us. Salt’s nature is to heal... preserve... enhance... and to bring out the best, when it’s spread around. Has it ever occurred to you that you could be the only Christian somebody in your workplace knows? That being a real possibility are you responsibly letting them see Christ in your life... your attitudes... your work ethic... your words and manners? It’s important that we remember the challenge of I Cor. 10:21, “Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God?” So today, rather than going off to work like someone leading you to the saltmines... remember... God has you where you are so that He may be glorified. Bloom where you’re planted. Shine your light. Be salt in a tasteless world. Give God glory with all of your life!