How do we know if we’re doing the right work, if we’re investing our time, energy, and resources in the best way?
I once shared a house with two roommates. We rotated the weekly chores so that we had different ones each week. One roommate offered to help me with mine. I thought she must have finished hers to offer to help me. But it became apparent that she never did her weekly rotation. The best help she could have provided was to complete her list.
You can probably add your own stories. The coworker who spends her days organizing her desk but never makes the calls. The fun ministry leader who entertains the students but never gets down to equipping them with spiritual training. The gal who is quick to volunteer but doesn’t follow through. They’re busy, but they aren’t busy doing the right work, and everyone pays.
How do we know what’s our most important work? Jesus answers that.
One of them, an expert in religious law, tried to trap him with this question: “Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?”
Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:35-40 (NLT)
Imagine what our families, communities, nation, and work would be like if we shared Jesus’s priorities. Even if we didn’t see the results we wanted, we’d hear God’s whispered “Well done.”
Exodus 20:30 (NLT) says “You must not have any other god but me.” This protects us, not God. When Israel added gods to their worship of Yahweh they fell apart. When Martha put her hostess preparations over loving her guests, she lost her peace and joy and created tension for her guests (Luke 10:38-42).
Someone has said, “Good is the enemy of best.” As we celebrate Labor Day, let’s consider our own work. Are we invested in the best? Love for God provides an eternal perspective that shows what real love for our neighbor looks like. Work that comes from biblical love satisfies, because God created us for that work (Ephesians 2:10).
Strength Finder
“And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father” (Colossians 3:17 NLT).
This week ask God for the grace to practice His presence in everything you do.
How do we know if we’re doing the right work, if we’re investing our time, energy, and resources in the best way? #work, #LaborDay Share on XLadies Fall Bible Study
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It’s so easy to be pulled into peripheral things and miss doing what God really has chosen for us to accomplish.
So true! Thanks, Ann.
Amen. If there is any doubt about the work we are doing, we can go to God in prayer and seek His wisdom and answer. 🙂
Yes! And when we do it for Him, even mundane tasks take on meaning. Thanks, Melissa.
Hmmmm… good thoughts here, Debbie!
God apparently doesn’t have a hierarchy of “important” work. Whatever we’ve been called to do is the most important work for us to be doing in that moment.
I like that, Michele. It’s doing the work He’s chosen for us. If it’s what He wants it’s important.
As the years have passed, my “work” has changed. I’ve come to realize the right work is whatever God places before me at this time. “This week ask God for the grace to practice His presence in everything you do.” Amen.
Joanne, I agree. Pleasing Him by following His lead is always the right work.
Evaluating our work is not only a great thing to do, but a godly thing. He gives us tasks to complete because He created us to be productive. We need to keep that balance between work and rest and know that we work to bring Him glory not to get Him to love us more. Your example of the roommate who didn’t want to do her own work reminded me of the Scripture in 2 Thessalonians 3:10, “that if any would not work, neither should he eat.”
Thank you for adding these insights, Barbara. Yes, rest is holy to God as is work done unto Him.
Thank you for your reminder, Debbie, to ask for God’s presence (and His guidance in choosing) all that we do. Yours is a timely message for Labor Day, and every day. Thank you.
Thank you, Katherine. What a difference it makes when we share life and work with our Lord.
Debbie, thanks for the reminder that Love is our calling, responsibility, joy. By His grace, for His glory.
Amen! Thanks, Linda.
Debbie, living in His Presence and out of His Love is our life calling. From this place, we can then do our work—to obey Him. Enjoy your Bible study!
Agreed! Thanks, Lisa.
What a timely and thought-provoking post! It’s easy for me to fall into the trap of doing good versus doing God’s best. May we listen for His highest calling so we are not just busy, but fulfilled doing what God is asking of us. Excellent message!
I want to live that way! Thanks, Melissa.
Each day, to me, is like a blank slate for me to fill in. I desire to please the TRIUNE GOD in every detail of my life. He is my ALL
My Roman Catholic roots have given me a firm foundation in FAITH.
LOVE< JOY<PEACE<PATIENCE< GOODNESS<FAITHFULNESS<KINDNESS<TEMPERANCE<LONG SUFFERING & SELF CONTROL.
How I roll out of bed each new day to face this sin-sick world.
La Verne Buchanan and Tommy Hawkins get the notion. Heading for Holy Communion in 55 minutes.
May God have mercy on my soul.
KOSJ
Keep on serving Jesus.
Kathleen, God has always delighted in those whose hearts seek to please Him. God bless!
I love the comment, “Good is the enemy of best.” It really sums up the message so well. We must be busy with the Lords work. Great message Debbie.
Thanks, Yvonne. It is easy to let good things rob us of God’s eternal best.