Labor Everyday with God...
Do you know what Labor Day is for?
Do you know how it came to be?
In the 1800's work conditions were harsh,
The divide between the working class and the wealthy were deep,
Workers were seldom appreciated and often abused,
And the workers started to push back,
Climaxing to a violent railroad strike in 1894,
Which is the year the president made Labor Day a federal holiday.
Labor Day was born from a sinful application of work.
But did you know that WORK was part of God's original design?
Did you know that WORK was a part of PERFECTION?
Unlike our world where many look forward to NOT working,
Where people countdown to retirement,
God's version of WORK was a part of heaven's PERFECT lifestyle.
"The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to WORK it and take care of it."
Heaven is NOT an eternal retirement community,
It is an eternal WORKING community.
In Hebrew, the word "WORK" also means SERVE and WORSHIP.
In God's dictionary,
WORK = SERVE = WORSHIP
If those are clues to God's ORIGINAL concept of work,
Then what should WORK be like for Jesus followers?
How can WORK be SERVICE to God and our EVERYday form of WORSHIP?
It's all connected,
It always has been,
But Satan separated what God originally made ONE.
If we applied God's definition of WORK into our business,
It would transform it,
It would bring a piece of heaven to earth through our WORK,
It would open up unlimited possibilities.
"No eye has seen, no ear has heard and no one’s heart has imagined all the things that God has prepared for those who love Him."
Where can we start?
What IF...
Every time we spoke to a client,
We offered prayer by asking "What can I pray for you today?",
What IF...
Every time we spoke to a customer service on the phone,
Before hanging up we asked "Can I pray for you?",
What IF...
After having a disagreement with a vendor,
We quietly pray for the vendor and the situation?
What IF...
At every business meeting,
We offer to start off with a quick prayer?
What IF...
When meeting with your co-workers,
We ask about their spiritual life?
What IF...?
What is possible at WORK if we SERVED Holy Spirit in all activities?
What IF...?
On this Labor Day,
Let's ask ourselves,
How can we Labor EVERYday with God?
How can we WORK to point people to God EVERYday?
When WORK = WORSHIP,
That's when our BUSINESS becomes an answer to Jesus' prayer,
"Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven",
"Dear Heavenly Father,
How can my WORK WORSHIP You today?
How can my WORK bear Your name?
How can my WORK be holy and pleasing to You?
How can my WORK go from dread to joy?
How can my WORK hours go from dragging to flying?
How can I count my hours to SERVE the next soul instead of clocking out?
Cleanse the word WORK in my mind,
Restore it back to Your original design,
Transform how I look at WORK from this day forward.
May my WORK be filled with PURPOSE,
May my WORK be filled with JOY,
May my WORK be filled with HUNGER to SERVE,
May my WORK overflow with Your Spirit in LOVE.
Help me WORK the way You intended,
Help me SERVE the way You desire,
Help me WORSHIP You in my WORK EVERYday.
In Jesus name, Amen."
Cheers to God's definition of WORK in our lives. Wohooo!!!
