Work as for the Lord…

Colossians 3:23-24
23 And whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord, and not for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. (WEB)

Our biggest struggles can occur when we try to draw our life from horizontal sources. Whether we live for the approval of a spouse, a pastor, a parent or a boss, it is all the same to God. Jesus lived a vertical life. He lived to please His Dad and His life source came from Him as well. Jesus wasn’t a people pleaser and wasn’t affected by the approval or rejection of fickle people. His eyes were fixed above on the things of heaven which caused Him to affect many people on earth.

In today’s Scripture reference, the Apostle Paul tells us to ‘work heartily, as for the Lord, and not for men.’ If we do that, our perspective on work will even change. We aren’t working for a demanding, harsh taskmaster, but for our loving Savior and elder brother. If we are misused by mere men as we go about our daily work, it won’t be nearly as frustrating if our focus is heavenward.

My prayer today is that each one of us would know that whatever we are called to in life, we are called to do it unto the Lord. Whether it is working, resting, parenting, ministering, etc., we do what we do with a vertical perspective. The more that we fix our eyes on heaven, the more that every horizontal relationship will be transformed around us.

Colossians 3:1-3
1 If then you were raised together with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated on the right hand of God.
2 Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are on the earth.
3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. (WEB)