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Work in the Name of Jesus

Posted on 05.16.2012

If you’ve ever read the book of Ecclesiastes, you will find it starkly honest, filled with reality and—depending on your emotional bent—it may even be depressing. The verse that has my attention today is Ecclesiastes 3:22: “So, I saw that there is nothing better for a man than to enjoy his work, because that is his lot…”

In other words, we might as well enjoy our work, because there is nothing else we can do to get out of it! However, I would like to remind us all that despite our daily routine of working, whatever we do, we do it all for the Lord. No matter how “drab” work can be, it can be much more fulfilling.

The fact is that everything we do is worship unto God. If we wish to worship God, we can do it with joy and with all of our hearts. When we worship God, we want to worship Him in our work with an attitude that is pleasing to Him—an attitude that is marked with gratitude to Him for who He is and for all He has done for us. As we work among friends, family and colleagues, we are able to experience joy, enthusiasm and excitement. For, God is worthy of our lives and our work! He has us at work to be a light and to point people to Christ. We must not forget that we are His plan to spread the message of God’s love to every part of the world and that includes our sphere of influence in the workplace.

My heart is drawn to a verse that one of my friends gave to me in the form of a key chain. (In fact, I wrote a song about it.) The verse is Colossians 3:17, which says, “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the father through Him.” As I work, when I constantly remind myself that I do what I do in the name of Jesus and for the cause of Christ, it truly brings me joy. This joy causes me to strive even more to do my very best, for, I am serving Christ as I serve others!

I like verses 23 and 24 in that same chapter:  “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward.  It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” This says it all! Having this posture in our work has the ability to completely transform us as we seek to work for God, and not for man. It can cause one to deal with difficult situations in the workplace in a new and refreshing way, for example, a difficult boss. If we are followers of Christ, we work for Him. As we go about our daily work, we have the ability in Christ to influence those around us with our loving, joyful attitudes. Our colleagues will wonder, “How does she do it?” This applies to our work inside and outside of the home. So, moms, changing diapers and cooking family meals have the same godly calling—to work as unto Him.

So, my friend, go to work. And go gladly.