Sep 20, 2008

Labor of Love


Colossians 3:23-24 states, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”

This verse is the inspiration for today’s question.

How would your life look differently if you embraced and believed fully what the verse in Colossians states? If the truth above is something you already believe and actively live out, how does this truth make a difference in your life?

Well, where do I start with that one?

I think the most dramatic change would be no more grumbling or complaining at the humdrum, ordinary, daily tasks.

cooking breakfast
dishes
laundry

cooking lunch
dishes
more laundry

cooking dinner
dishes
finish laundry

Every day. I know, it's insane. It's like Chinese water torture...the perpetual wheel of boredom. Constantly. dripping. Maddening. dripping. Deranged. dripping....


Nothing like a little drama to spice things up.


Well, it's not that bad. But come on, it does get a little on the monotonous side, doesn't it? It's during those times, when I start to question, "What am I doing here? Shouldn't I be doing something with a little more punch? A little more impact?" that I am reminded that God knows what He's called me to.


He knows what He's equipped me for. And He knows the reward He's set aside for me. Yes, some are eternal rewards that one glorious Day I'll get to lay down at His feet. But some are meant for this life...like watching these precious boys grow into God-honoring young men. Watching them develop their skills, academically, spiritually, and physically. Watching them develop their relationships with each other, their family and friends, and their God.


Like watching my husband grow into the man he's called to be, and knowing that I get to participate by providing a warm, loving, atmosphere in our home. I get to decide (by my attitude) if we have a chaotic mess or a safe haven of comfort and peace for him to come home to. Either of these extremes contribute greatly to his attitude about life.


Talk about impact.


I think it's all about perspective. Am I going to have the perspective that the mundane repetitions I perform are as pointless and insignificant as they are commonplace? Or am I going to choose to believe that they are instruments in the Hands of a faithful God, who will use every load of laundry and every homemade meal to grow every individual soul in this family to be his (and her) best?


If I believe that He will really do that, then I will choose to work as unto Him. There is no greater reward than to please my Creator.


11 comments:

Mozi Esme said...

Powerful verse and powerful testimony of things I really need to be reminded of. Thank you.

I've come to the conclusion that I'm inherently rather selfish. Amazing that it's taken me 35 years to figure that one out. It's easy to rationalize that my family doesn't deserve my service because I'm not being served by them in the manner I should be - but when you look at it in the context of serving the Lord, then it doesn't matter what returns I get on my service right here and now . . .

Anonymous said...

Great perspective! I too sometimes wonder WHY does it seem that all I ever do is clean and cook and clean and cook...... but sometimes we look at just how WE feel at that very momment instead of the big picture. :)

Anonymous said...

I think it's wonderful when the Lord allows us to see ourselves the way He sees us. All the things you do that seem so small and repetitious create a much bigger picture.
Well done good and faithful servant!

Edie said...

Hey Chel! Love your perspective on this. I know I really have to work at cooperating with Him concerning that attitude part.

Great slide show. You have a beautiful family!

susanna said...

It is amazing how the laundry of three young boys can just break you right down, isn't it? And if I think about as serving the Lord instead FOLDING DUMB LAUNDRY ONE MORE TIME...that does shift one's outlook. And really, clean undies are so very important...we are having a real impact on the world. Thanks for the good word, sister! Sue (tsg)

sailorcross said...

Great post!! When we look at what we are doing through God's eyes and not our own, our whole perspective on the mundane, daily "chores" can and will be changed.

Thanks for sharing your heart today!

Meg in Tally said...

Get OFF my toes, girl! Grumbling and complaining can get to be a real habit, can't it?! I guess its just one of those 'choices' we make --to be what God wants us and made us to be!

Love those vintage pix of the kids!

Dena said...

Hi! I wanted to stop on over and have a look around and tell you thanks so much for stopping by and for your sweet words. You have a great place here and I loved what I've read so far.

As far as the boys getting along, hang in there. If someone had told me 5 yrs ago that my girls would be acting like *gasp* friends, I would never have believed it. It does happen and it's worth the wait.

Greg C said...

Great message Chel. I try to focus on my final reward but sometimes like you I get bogged down in my daily routine and think: I need a little reward now. I really do have it great and God has blessed me but I sometimes do complain. I will keep working on this.

Anonymous said...

What I LOVE about this post is the contentment I hear in your writing. This is a place I WANT to be in my life; mostly at home but also at work. Thanks for the encouragment that it can be acheived and that I really need to lean on God more for that contentment!

Elle said...

I chant to myself - Audience of one
doing things only for the lord that only he sees
it is a great perpective to try to keep
good reminder