Starting Something New
I remember my first day of work at the grocery store. Barely 16 years old, the fast paced atmosphere and the energy of working with a team was more fun than expected. I was learning tons every day and meeting new and interesting people. Everything was going great, until I received that first paycheck. $3.35/hour didn’t sound like much when I started, and the pay slip proved that it indeed was not. Though momentarily discouraged, the task remained ahead and I kept with the work for many years.
There’s something exciting about throwing yourself into a new thing. It might be a new job, like Chad Dougless starting as a Navy Chaplain, or a new season of life, as our own Chad Greathouse just retired from the Fire Department. For most this week it’s the start of a new school year. There might be a new backpack involved, or lunch box, or some new shoes. All these things create excitement, but then reality hits, like a mountain of homework, and it can be hard to persevere.
Last Sunday we looked at the topic of Work in Proverbs. A couple of verses we didn’t cover, but I think are excellent for us all to have on hand this week are found in Colossians:
3:17Â “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”
3:23-24Â “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.”
As Christians we’re called to do our work with excellence, for God’s glory, to do our best in any given situation, to keep our eyes focused on Him, rather than our circumstances. We can do this because Jesus did this as well. He had a work to do, and he had to deal with some unpleasant circumstances, but Hebrews reminds us in 12:2 that Jesus, “for the joy that was set before him endured the cross.”
My prayer is that every member of Valley View would tackle whatever task before them this week in a way that lets those around us know we are full of hope in Christ. Even when challenging moments come, and they will, others would “See our good deeds and give glory to our Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:15).