Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. It’s back-to-work after a season to celebrate our labor and as I met with the Living God at sunrise this morning, I considered the importance of the work of my hands and I gave thanks for it all. Some of my work is to earn my living and some of my work is to take care of my home. Some of my work is dedicated to my family and some of my work involves ministering to suffering souls….but ALL of my work is done with Him in mind and I never forget that I’ve “been called according to His Purpose”. Isn’t that the way you look at your work too?

It’s human nature to attempt to compartmentalize our lives. One piece belongs at the office and one piece belongs in the home. One piece belongs in church and one piece belongs to recreation. But ALL of the pieces of our lives should have a common denominator…it all should be with HIS Purpose in mind and not in our own. To most people, our work is a merely a symbol of our success and a means of making our wealth and we raise our children to chase the biggest paycheck and the most impressive title in the workplace. The inclinations or nature desires that our children have to do something that doesn’t pay as well, or that doesn’t impress the world, are discouraged and labeled as a “waste of time” by their parents who long to brag about their successes. But if we’re doing what God calls us to do; how can we NOT be successful? We are taught to squash out those God-given gifts and talents and to chase fame and fortune instead, and when we do; we get in the way of the Plans that God has for each one of us that have been “called according to His purpose”. The greatest joy in life comes to us when we are fulfilling HIS PLANS for our lives and not our own.

It’s easy to resent our work when we’re doing something that doesn’t bring us joy and when we overlook the true Purpose behind our work. It’s when we consider that He will place us precisely where He wants us to be (if we let Him) so that we can accomplish what we were CREATED to accomplish that we find our contentment…and our EXCITEMENT for each new day. When we finally get the Big Picture life is more like an adventure that the “hard work” so many people complain about, and it’s only THEN that we understand our Significance…no matter the size of the paycheck or the title on the door. Our job is one of the greatest opportunities to be a Witness to the world of our character and of our integrity and our love and compassion that ONLY come from the Living God. Whether it’s 8 hours or 10 hours or 12 hours or more that we spend in the office; it’s ALL time that truly belongs to Him and there is a Purpose much bigger than your paycheck to be there! If that doesn’t excite you…nothing will!”

I’m giving thanks for the work of my hands in every corner of my life and I’m on the “look-out” for what He wants me to do today. He IS my World…so everything around me from my family to my work will be savored and loved and “dealt with” according to His Purpose…and not my own. That’s my REAL job and He’s the only “Boss” that matters to me. I’m excited to get to work! How about you?”

“May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us- yes, establish the work of our hands.”