Work As Unto the Lord

This is a classic "coffee cup" verse.  It wasn't until recently when this verse really came alive to me.  When I realized how this looks when lived out.

Colossians 3:23 - "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men..."

Tonight, our friends had a going away party.  My dad taught me well.  I have never been to a party where I didn't see my dad either setting up, breaking down, taking out the trash or doing something with his hands.  Not to mention truly engaging people face to face and telling corny dad jokes.

As the party ended, I found myself in "dad mode" as in acting like my dad and breaking things down and recruiting other capable and free men.  There were several things that went through my head.  I thought to myself, "this is going to make our friends night so much easier." "my dad would be pleased," "this is good training for my kids," and even sinful thoughts of, "why isn't everybody helping!?"

It wasn't until I got home when it hit me.  I shouldn't have cleaned up the party and put away table and chairs for one reason and one reason only; namely, to please God the Father - thats it.  And here's the test to see whether or not my motivation was righteous: was I mad at anyone for not helping? was I feeling good about myself?  was I feeling good about how others saw me?

When we "work as unto the Lord" we are set free from all forms of validation, verbal appreciation, any type of pat on the back and even sinful thoughts of pride and judgment on others who happen to be doing something else.

The Gospel sets us free from working for men.   It sets us free from getting irritated or impatient with other people.  It sets us free to work as unto the Lord with no desire for the praises of men.  AMEN!