Your Job Doesn't Define You
January 5 – Back To The Job Or Back To Work?

5:5 – Back To The Job Or Back To Work?

#faithbites #faithjourney job

Intro

Tomorrow is my first day back at work since December 17. It’s been a long couple of weeks between Christmas, New Year’s Day, kids off, pain, and celebrations. I’m looking forward to getting back to work. This got me thinking about the difference between having a Job and doing work. For some people, it’s the same thing. They go to work, do a job, come home, live life, rinse and repeat. Some talk about the difference between a job (paycheck) and a career (making an impact). However you slice it, there is a third option. What if we stopped seeing our jobs (or careers) as defining who we are and that the work they do is what values us. Instead, what if we looked at our jobs as the vehicle to help us do God’s work. You don’t have to be a pastor, preacher, rabbi, or Immam (no offense to other religions I’ve missed) to do God’s work.

For me, I’m learning that my job pays the bills, but my purpose is to be a good human, share how God is working in my life, and help others however they need it. This is why God has put me where he has. So it may be back to the job, but the work hasn’t slowed down.

Questions:
  • Do you define your work by your job description?
  • How can you do God’s work no matter what your job or career is?
Scripture
  • Ephesians 2:10 – For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.
  • Acts 22:10 – And I said, ‘What shall I do, Lord?’ And the Lord said to me, ‘Get up and go on into Damascus, and there you will be told of all that has been appointed for you to do.’
  • Zechariah 8:16 – These are the things which you should do: speak the truth to one another; judge with truth and judgment for peace in your gates.
Reflection

Nowhere in the Bible does God say that you have to do a specific career to gain entrance to Heaven. In fact, Jesus says that works don’t grant salvation (Ephesians 2:8-9). We know that we are saved by faith. That being said, nowhere, does God say that we have to be in the clergy to do his work. Ephesians explains how we are all part of one body and that different parts of the body have different work to do, all in the name of God. Our verse says God has prepared specific work for us to do. In Acts, we see the conversion of Saul to Paul on the Road to Damascus. God told Paul where to go and that the work would be there for him to do. He does that in the same way for us. When we call on him, he gives us a purpose and puts us where we need to do to impact people where we live, work, and play. I know, you may be asking but how do I share God if I’m in a place where talking about God isn’t appropriate. (First, it should be appropriate everywhere if done correctly, but I digress). Zechariah tells us specifically what we are to do: speak the truth, and judge with truth and judgment. But what does that mean? It means to treat others with respect, follow God’s law, do unto others as you’d have done to you, and love God and your neighbors. That is it.

When you follow those guides, God is shown through you. You are doing your job and the work God set out for you. Once people learn about who you are, they will ask why you are the way you are. That is when you can invite them in and share more about Jesus and your relationship. It doesn’t matter where you are, but building the relationship through your own actions starts first.

As we close, remember you don’t have to have a robe or collar to do God’s work. Also, that your job or career doesn’t define you. Who you are and how you behave as a person is what matters. That is how you show God.

Prayer

Lord God, thank you for giving us purpose. Thank you for allowing us to do your work no matter what our jobs or careers are. Lord, we ask for clarity in what we should do and how we can change the system from the inside. Let us be vessels for your light. When people look at us, we want them to see you and your love. We pray this in your heavenly name, Amen.

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