Bringing God Glory.

The CEO of a company that started out as a bottom rung employee often is the most understanding and best person for which to work. They get it. They understand the twists and turns of vocation. They remember the tired muscles from hard labor. They know what monotonous and boring mean when associated with work. Through all the different levels of a corporation, they have endured and thrived when others moved on. In short, an excellent CEO could be just as happy still working in the warehouse as they are in a corner office with a view. They tend to value employees across that broad spectrum of skill level. They keep the mission of the company in front of them and live out their personal mission statement at work everyday.

I often wonder about the disciples Jesus chose; the twelve who left their vocations to follow this mysterious, magnetic, and compelling carpenter. What did they see as an outcome of leaving their good jobs to follow an unknown future? Were they wanting something more than they had or were there other motives? In the midst of leaving all they knew about fishing and collecting taxes, they were willing to do whatever it took to follow the Master. Allegiance is a rare commodity in a world that screams for individuality and independence.

What do you do for a living? Would you ever consider a change of vocation? Or, has your job remained the same for a long period of time? Have you excelled at this profession? Faithful employees are another rare species. Turnover in the workforce has been bolstered by the notion that one should never settle for the present situation but always be striving forward --- upward. Not saying we shouldn't be looking to better our situation and provide a stable financial atmosphere for our families.

(Small anthill on the Standing Stone Trail somewhere on Allensville Mountain)

A Christian, one who professes Jesus as Lord, is in a unique position. We follow Jesus and are commanded to use our God given spiritual gifts in order to bring God glory. There is a another effect in using our gifts; we influence others to consider Jesus. Day in and day out, our daily regimen consists of doing the same thing over and over. Do we do this task well? Do we pay attention to smallest details that other workers ignore? Are we happy and fulfilled at this work?

The short video portrays a metaphor of the life of a faithful Christian. Many days, it doesn't seem to appear that our work is changing the world, helping many people, or making much of a difference. Yet, remove 30 of these ants and the entire work structure of this tiny anthill would change dramatically. Those left behind just had they workload increased and the colony moves much slower with less work being accomplished. In kind, when Christians don't utilize their gifts for God's glory and for ministry, the church influence falters.

"There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good." (1 Corinthians 12:4-7, NIV)

Not sure where you are in the grand scheme of employment, but I hope and trust you are doing the very best work possible. If you feel like your job is a drain on your lifestyle, it may not be the work draining you. It might be you. There are no unimportant jobs. Let's strive to thrive at whatever work God entrusts to us and do our work with energy, passion, and compassion. Our outlook on life and work does make a difference. Oh, and if all you ever achieve in life is sweeping floors in a warehouse somewhere, do it with excellence.

"Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked." (Psalm 84:10, NIV)