by Robin Lee
Whatever you do, do it from the heart for the Lord and not for people. You know that you will receive an inheritance as a reward. You serve the Lord Christ. Colossians 3: 23-24
Devotion
Hopefully, all of us have had experiences in which serving others was something joyful, whether it is serving the community, in church, in school, or in our jobs. Serving in groups where we easily connect with others is fun. There is deep gratification when we can readily see the impact that our service has made. It feels good to receive appreciation for our work. When serving employs our personal gifts and talents, things that we already love to do, the service may not even feel like work at all.
But that is not every experience of service. Sometimes the kind of service that is needed is not the kind of work we would choose to do. Sometimes the task feels insignificant. At other times, the benefit of our labor is too far out for us to see right away. Sometimes the work is just showing up, when it might be easier not to. It is in times like these that I find these verses helpful. When we are doing work for God, we know that we are not just working for, but also working with someone willing to be there with us, who sees not just the final product, but the effort we put in, and will not quickly forget that effort. Even if there is no intrinsic reward in the work itself (although, often there is), there is greater reward in knowing that God sees and knows, and in His eyes, every act of service has purpose and value.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, You call us to serve in many different ways. Help us to remember whatever we do and whomever we do it for, our work is ultimately for You. Amen.
