Work and Worship

Work as Worship

Work as Worship

Colossians 3:23-25 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.

I love the feeling of laying down in my bed at night with my husband. My body sinks in to the mattress and takes a breath. The physical feeling of rest. My days consist of almost constant work. Most of the time, my mind feels satisfied for a job well done. I find work to be rewarding. My children, husband, and home functions because of me. I feel needed and happy about that.

Here is my question: am I working heartily? Yes.
But, am I working for the Lord- truly? Maybe.
What is my reward? Well, if I am working for myself, my reward is satisfaction unto myself. My motives are to be a good wife, mom, or even a “good Christian woman.”If I am truly working heartily unto the Lord, my heart’s motives are directed unto God. So, “In Christ” I see work as worship.

Proverbs 14:1The wisest of women builds her house, but folly with her own hands tears it down.

So, what does it mean to work as worship? We are created to be worshippers, so in everything, we worship. Too often, my motives, are self-worship.To listen to praise music while you do dishes doesn’t necessarily translate into working as worship. (however, your heart may be pure in doing that!) A woman who tells herself to worship in work- pushes herself to “happy thoughts” flips on the christian music, yet folly may still be in her heart. She could very well be cursing her work (under her breath) -angry that she can’t be doing something more enjoyable. Yet, her behavior is scratching at the surface of heart change.

Heart change may look like- admitting to God and others she resists work. Then, doing it out of obedience. Then again, humbly talking to the Lord about the heart resistance. When she works, she knows her struggle to worship in work is confessed. In geniune heart change, under the behavior you see the struggle. You see honesty and humility.

It is easy for me to think about Work as Worship- because I enjoy it. My disconnect is caught up in heart motivations. My depravity says, ” Do it! You feel great about yourself!” Yet, “In Christ,” I am able to work heartily knowing that the glory for a job well done, ONLY goes to God. And that I don’t work for man or myself, but my Lord. And- the only reward that changes me is the reward from God.