A while ago I had the privilege of delivering a devotional to the faculty at the university where I teach as part of our kick-off event for a new school year. While much of the devotional is related specifically to our work as educators, I hope that in sharing it here, many may be encouraged to think about how their work can glorify God.
If you were to spend a few days with my family, you would hear some common phrases that we say to our kids. For example, when we are dropping off our kids for church or school, our parting words are often “be a blessing!” as we strive to remind them that regardless of their grades or how fast they are at Bible sword drills, what we care about the most is that they are a blessing to those who are in authority. Another phrase they frequently hear before they hang out with friends is “be kind and respectful.” We have found that a lot of strife and sin is avoided if kids follow these two admonitions in their interactions. Another repeated reminder is “be generous to others” with the follow-through of “because God has been generous to us.” It is a reminder that we want our kids to live in response to Who God is and the goodness He has rained down on their lives. When we recognize how much God has given us, it is easier to sacrificially give to others.
The concept that our actions, thoughts, and words should be shaped by Who God is, is not an idea that is original to our parenting techniques. Rather, it is a pattern that we see throughout Scripture. Repeatedly, the Bible teaches us something about Who God is or what He has done for us, and then provides instructions on how we should live in response. The more we understand the majesty, beauty, holiness, and love of God – the more we comprehend how we should reflect His character in our attitudes, thoughts, words and behaviors. If we want to know how we are to live, we should start by seeking to understand Who God is.
One of the places in the Bible where we see this pattern demonstrated is in Colossians 1. After greeting the church in Colossae, Paul recounts the impact of the Gospel on the church, and then turns to a beautiful discourse on Christ’s preeminence. Next, he writes about the hope that believers have because of what Christ has accomplished for us. Then he turns to what these things mean for his ministry in particular, and by extension, for how Christians should live. He writes:
“Him [Christ] we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.” (Col 1:28-29)
In short, Paul makes clear that it is because of Christ that he is laboring in ministry.
As we read of how Paul approached his work, we may be tempted to dismiss it by thinking that his labor was substantially different from our own. But let us pay closer attention to how Paul described his task. In verse 28 he states that he was:
- Proclaiming Christ
- Warning and teaching everyone with all wisdom
- Desiring to present everyone mature in Christ.
As Christian educators, isn’t this exactly what we strive to do? We proclaim Christ and we work to build wisdom in our students and within our discipline, that all may be the person God created them to be.
In the next verse, Paul writes about how he accomplished his work. First we learn that he toiled; Paul was not lazy or indifferent in his labor, instead he worked hard at it. But he did so with the energy that Christ powerfully produced within him. Paul labored; Christ gave him the ability to do so. Paul had the sweat on his brow but it was His Savior who garnered the accomplishments.
When we look at the word Paul uses to describe his toil (“struggling”) it is helpful to consider that in Greek the root of this word is the same as the root for “agonizing.” The work that Paul did was not easy or passive. Anyone who knows much about Paul’s life knows that in his ministry he faced many challenges. He was opposed, persecuted, shipwrecked, and beaten. Paul faced difficulties in his work and so will we. But just like Paul could confidently attest that Christ’s power was working through him, God’s children today can be confident of the same. We do not labor under our own energy as we do God’s work; He works in and through us to accomplish His purposes. Therefore, we strive to labor hard in our work, and we trust Him for the outcome.
As we do so, we must remember that the work we do has a greater purpose. It is easy to look at our jobs and think it is primarily about the tasks we must accomplish. As educators, those tasks consist of grading papers, preparing lessons, collecting assessment data, and engaging in research within our field. But as Christians our work is not centered around getting these tasks done; the purpose of our work is to give glory to God, to serve others, and to point people to Him. Martin Luther stated it this way, “Work is no longer simply a job or occupation; it is a calling, a vocation. It is a summons from God. Vocation is also where the Spirit sanctifies the Christian’s life, not in a self-centered quest for perfection, but rather in humble service to the neighbor.”
As Luther indicated, the work that God gives us is a summons from Him; it is a stewardship that we are to use for His purposes. Additionally, through our work, God sanctifies us; He uses our labor to conform us into the image of His Son. Lastly, our labor should be done in service – for the good of others and for the glory of God.
In summary when we approach the tasks God has given to us with excellence, we honor God and we serve those around us – to His glory.
Another passage in Scripture that talks about how we should act based on who God is, is found in I Corinthians 15. This chapter is the famous passage where Paul writes about the importance of Christ’s death and resurrection. In it, Paul expounds on what Christ’s victory over death means for those who believe in Him. He concludes this discourse by stating: “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abound in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.”
As we labor for Christ, as we worship Him through our toil, may we put these words into practice. May we remain steadfast – continuing to work hard even when things are difficult. May we be immovable – fixing our eyes on God and Who He is, being rooted in the truth of His Word. May we be always abounding in God’s work – faithfully doing the tasks that He has set before us, with excellence and perseverance. And may we know that any work that is done for Him is not in vain because it is He who works in and through us to accomplish His good purposes.
May our labor be for Christ.
