As I lethargically pulled my chair up to my desk and opened my laptop to start the day’s work, “What you do for God is not just what you do, it is everything that you do”, popped into my mind. One minute earlier, I was thinking, “Gosh, why does it always take so much effort and energy to get myself in the right frame of mind for work”.
Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God (2 Corinthians 10:31) is the scripture that the Holy Spirit brought to my mind on the heels of my puerile protest.
In that moment, I was reminded that 'work' as a child of God is more than our service to the advancement of the kingdom of God, in the realm of the five-fold ministries, our gifts, talents and abilities. It is also service to our elderly family members, greeting customers with a smile at the workplace and stopping to listen to the cares of another, although you may be busy with your own life and situations. Everything that we do is for God’s glory. At least, it should be.
It seemed silly to me though, that one should place music ministry or pastoral ministry on the same level as one’s interaction or relationship with a co-worker. Tempted to believe that one is superior to the other, I had to remind myself that God is everywhere and in everything. He is not only directing me concerning my service in the body of Christ but shows me that my work outside of the Church is part of my contribution to the great commission, to seek out men and women across the world and demonstrate the saving Grace of Jesus Christ.
I am a dreamer, I spend many hours in my head turning over ideas, making plans, thinking about purpose and next steps and this translated to a skewed assumption that my calling or gifting is somehow elevated above my everyday tasks. Consequently, my day-to-day money earning work, is often viewed as a necessary interference with my God-work, since I clearly prefer to be doing one over the other.
Research tends to show that large portions of a working population are not happy with their jobs and would prefer to be doing something else that they perceive will give greater satisfaction. I think that I drag my thoughts as over coals every Monday morning, covering my mind with that unnecessary ash and weight, right at the start of the week. Somewhere around Tuesday or Wednesday I finally get my head right and remind myself that my job is more than simply 'work'. Your work at home, with your children is more than ‘work’, it is part of your ministry, in a situation and season that God in His wisdom, stations us to be fruitful.
A long time ago, when I was offered my first managerial position, it was unexpected and so scary at the time. I asked God "why me"? and the Holy Spirit clearly showed me that the same love, compassion and energy that I poured into the service of the body of Christ, is the same love and service that was required of me for the world.
Everything that we do, as mundane or as world changing as it may be, as children of God, it must glorify God. By and large, I believe that we all know this, yet the tasks of the day and responsibilities for self and family, sometimes pull us away from that fact, turning our focus on self and to-do lists. What we do is always for God, because he has given us breath to start the day in the first place, he may have blessed you with that job when you were without an income for months, he blessed you with friends and family who have supported you at your lowest moments and he blessed you with offspring, while it remains a prayer for many.
Everything we do is for God because everything that we are and have is from God. He wants us to turn our eyes to Him and see Him in every situation, even the repetitive, draining and ‘unfulfiling’ stuff. Talk to God about your situation and if it is indeed unbearable, then ask Him for a change; but while you wait, thank Him for everything. See all things as part of your ministry, your gift of the knowledge of God to the world (your part of the world).
When you allow someone to go ahead of you in a line although you’ve been waiting for a long time, pat yourself on the back and say "attaboy"/girl that was part of my ministry of compassion; knowing that God sees and will justly reward every good work.
And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. Colossians 3:17
Love Ya,
Krystal Baynes-Hoseinee
