Work is a Blessing!

"Clothe yourself with this new nature...." ~ Ephesians 4:24

I had the opportunity this morning to listen to someone call in on a talk radio show.  He expressed how unhappy he was because he spends a lot of hours at work and he's exhausted when he comes home.

Now I have no idea who this person was, or what he's actually struggling with...I only heard a 3 minute pre-recorded phone call, BUT... the conversation got me thinking about my own attitude toward work and what I experience day to day.

Listening to that caller this morning put my heart in check.  I think one of my responsibilities, as a believer and follower of Christ , is to have a new and different attitude toward life and the work I have...

So many young people today want Christ without responsibility.  I found myself thinking.. "Where do we get off reasoning our relationship with God in this manner?... Jesus was no drop-out! What gives me the right to think I'm "entitled" to anything... when I haven't fully appreciated what it took in order to receive?"

2 Thessalonians 3:10 says "...He who does not work shall not eat..."

The Apostle Paul made tents for a living while he carried on the work God assigned him. As a carpenter, Jesus worked hard too...

I wish I could have spent a day in Joseph's shop watching Jesus use a hammer and a saw. I picture calluses on His hands, rough calluses that never fully healed over. I picture dirt under His nails, which were most likely cracked and splintered, and painful to touch. Sometimes I forget Jesus was human, as well as divine.

If the chisel had slipped and cut His fingers, His blood would have been red and warm like mine.  He knew what it meant to work long hours, to come home at night tired and weary... He also knew that a laboring man needs rest and recreation.  "...Come unto me, all ye that labor..." Matthew 11:28

I was humbled thinking about my own selfish attitude toward work this morning.  I've heard before.. that I should be thankful for what I have, and I am...God just took me a bit further today, by helping me remember the work I do should be done unto Him.

I should do my best at whatever it is I'm doing, and not dwell on how it might make me "feel".  I should be faithful, clean, honest, and thankful everyday I get to experience work, because work IS a blessing...in more ways than one!

Remembering the labor Jesus did here on earth...which led to his supreme sacrifice, helps me realize all work is sacred if done for the Lord.  I find rest and feel refreshed when I consider this... and I pray all my labor will glorify Him.