Unreligious: Week 4 - Day 5
OPENING PRAYER:
Dear Lord, I know that as I “set my mind on the things above, not on earthly things, (Colossians 3:2, NIV), you will lead me, by your Holy Spirit, to all truth and righteousness, pursuing your will to accomplish your plans for me, in Christ Jesus.
23 “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord and not for men, 24 since you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as your reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”
REFLECT:
Colossians 3:23 was one of the first verses I ever put to memory. After arriving in the fall of my freshman year at Oral Roberts University, I found it posted on the running track wall of the aerobics center where all students were encouraged to exercise. I had never been a runner, nor thought of myself as one, but as students, we were required to “earn” fitness points. I found that by running, I could earn the most points in the shortest amount of time. One day while walking around the main floor of the fitness center, I noticed a series of plaques on the wall for several successive years – a separate one for each year. They listed the names of runners who had run 500 or more miles in the previous year, with each person listed in order of their total miles. Very quickly, I began to imagine my name on the next year’s list. After the first few days of running, it seemed I was doing well, but I began to realize that I would need to go more than two or three miles a day, as the “year” would be over in December. To go a mile, I had to run about seven laps on the track. Each time I would pass by that bible verse, it would encourage me…”work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord.” I worked up to six miles on some days. Heading into late September, I begin to develop ‘shin splints.’ I had no idea what they were, I just knew it was hurting me to run. Why did God allow this injury to stand in the way of my goal?... I mean “his goal.” Well, as you can see, I realized that I needed to consider this ‘entire’ verse as important…”working for the Lord, not for men.” Realizing that my goal and my desires were becoming more important than God’s glory, I confessed to the Lord, asking him to forgive my misguided motives. Then, I rightly rededicated this goal to him for his glory. Well the end of the year came, and my name made it on the plaque after all. I wasn’t as high on the list as I might have wanted, but I knew that it was the Lord who helped me to achieve this goal!
APPLY:
What are the first two or three things you focus on each day? Are you thinking out about how to connect with a friend who doesn’t know the Lord? Are you sitting down to pray for significant issues impacting the lives of loved ones around you? As you begin your day, ask the Lord to show you someone who might need a hand or some encouragement. You might wake up with a name of someone already in mind! Look for ways to take time for others and maybe a little less for yourself. Most of us are very good at “doing.” Doing things allows us to ‘measure’ and remind the Lord of all we do for him. But what if we just give our time? That can be more difficult. Maybe he is asking you to lend a listening ear to someone no one else seems to talk to or connect with? Remember, God is always willing to leave the 99, looking for the one. Will today be the day you ‘work for the Lord’ seeking to bring him glory?
CLOSING PRAYER:
Heavenly Father, thank you for providing every need I have, ‘according to your glorious riches in Christ Jesus, (Philippians 4:19, NIV). I pray for the right opportunities to demonstrate my love for you today. Lead me on the path you desire for me to follow and don’t let me get in the way. Amen.