A Reason for Working Well, Even When it’s Tough

Welcome to Monday, everybody’s favorite day of the week! Aren’t you glad that the weekend is over so you can get back to the fun stuff… WORK?

(I’m just kidding. Don’t hate me!)

According to this recent study, only 51% of American workers are satisfied with their jobs, so I imagine that at least half of you reading this are experiencing somewhat different thoughts today.

More like:

“I wish I could have stayed in bed.”

“Is it Friday yet?”

“My boss is such a jerk! I really don’t want to have to deal with him today. Ugh!”

Whatever feelings you have about Monday morning, I believe that there’s a compelling reason to make a positive shift in your perspective on work, especially if it’s a slog for you right now.

In one of his letters to the churches, the apostle Paul offered instruction to believers that found themselves in an incredibly difficult work situation - they were bound in slavery.

Here’s what he had to say:

Slaves, in all things obey those who are your masters on earth, not with external service, as those who merely please men, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve. (Colossians 3:23-24 NASB)

Speaking to those who had every reason to be discouraged, every reason to be bitter and to let it reflect in the quality of their work, he told them that it’s not at all about the human boss we are working for, it’s about serving our Lord, Jesus.

In the gospels, Jesus said that if we give food, water, and clothing to those in need in his name it was the same as doing it to him. Here, Paul expands that principle to everything that we do, including our daily work. And he doesn’t give us an out if we don’t like those whom we work for (or with).

Paul reminds us that while we are on the job, God is looking at our heart. He doesn’t just want us to put on a good show. We are to serve well, whether our boss deserves it or not.

In my thirty-five year career I’ve worked for some good folks and some not so good. I’ve done a lot of things that I’ve enjoyed and I’ve completed a lot of tasks that I loathed. In those varied situations, the realization that I was accountable to God for the work that I was doing strongly influenced my efforts and my attitude.

I know that working in a less-than-ideal situation can be frustrating and disheartening; hours can feel like days and weeks like months. And if we’re not careful, those negative feelings will show up as poor quality work, which for sure doesn’t honor the Lord.

When your job situation is difficult (and even when it’s not), praying about the work you do, and the condition of your heart while you do it, can really make a difference.

Several years back, I began praying for my work every morning before the workday started. That prayer evolved into one sentence that I now pray every day, practically word for word. Here’s what I say:

“Lord, please bless the work of my hands, my mind, and my mouth so that I may honor you in everything that I do and be a blessing to those I serve and that it will go well with me.”

I have seen the Lord answer that prayer many times over, sometimes in the results of the work that I do, but always in the positioning of my heart. If you don’t have a specific ‘work’ prayer, feel free to borrow (and adapt) mine.

One last thought on this. It’s not all for nothing. When you’re in the midst of the slog, it seems like it won’t make any difference what you do. But Paul encourages us with the promise that, since we are really working for the Lord, He will be the one to reward us richly for a job well done.

Happy Monday! Give the Lord your best!