Work from the Heart

I was drinking my morning cup of coffee, anticipating the long day ahead at the Women's Expo, and I turned to 100 Favorite Bible Verses. Ironically, this is the chapter I turned to...

Job Description: Excellence

In all the work you are doing, work the best you can. 

Work as if you were doing it for the Lord, not for people. 

~Colossians 3:23 NCV

Work is a noble calling. God commends people for doing it well, and he also does work for himself. When God created the world, he worked. The excellence of His work is evident in everything that he made. He even took a day off to review the results of his efforts and declared them "good." 

God continues to work, sustaining what he created that very first week in the world's history.

Since God created you in His image, work should be a part of your life. Doing it well reflects God's creativity and character. It easy however to lose your motivation when a job is difficult or you become bored with doing the same thing day after day. Paul's words to the Colossians can help you keep your work in its proper perspective. Working the best you can literally means "working from the soul." 

You are not working simply to pay the bills, please your boss, or pass the time of day. God set this job in front of you. When you do your job well, God notices, even if no one else does.

This section of Colossians was originally directed toward slaves. It encouraged them to remain positive and productive, even if they were working in bondage under a tyrant. If a slave, who could be beaten even if he did a job well, could strive for excellence by maintaining a Colossians 3:23 perspective, that should inspire us in our jobs.

Continually focus on God's perspective throughout the day to help keep your efforts on the right track.

Fire in your Heart

I was reading Grace for the Moment by Max Lucado the other night and a passage really stuck with me, so I want to share it.

The Fire of Your Heart

My God, I want to do what you want.

Your teachings are in my heart.

Psalm 40:8

Want to know God's will for your life? Then answer this question: What ignites your heart? Forgotten orphans? Untouched nations? The inner city? The outer limit? Heed the fire within!

Do you have a passion to sing? Then sing!

Are you stirred to manage? Then manage!

Do you ache for the ill? Then treat them!

Do you hurt for the lost? Then teach them!

As a young man I felt the calling to preach. Unsure if I was correct in my reading of God's will for me, I sought the counsel of a minister I admired. His counsel still rings true. "Don't preach," he said, "unless you have to."

As I pondered his words I found my answer. "I have to. If I don't, the fire will consume me." 

What is the fire that consumes you?

This passage stuck with me because I have been questioning my own "fires" for years. Even if I try and extinguish the fire in my heart for rescuing dogs it reignites and consumes my soul. 

Is that really God's purpose for me? 

As life unfolds I become more and more convinced that this is true. I continue to pray for purpose and ask God... but I think he has already answered me. 

Has he answered you? Are you really listening?

Thirty-one years ago I was born on Easter Sunday and that has always held a special place in my heart. When I was little I thought it was cool that I shared the same "special day" with the Easter Bunny. Obviously as I got older I realized Easter is MUCH more special than a bunny. 

I share the same day that Jesus was resurrected! 

But really...what does that mean? To me? To you? To the world?

The Dictionary states:

noun /ˈēstər/ 
Easters, plural

The most important and oldest festival of the Christian Church, celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ and held (in the Western Church) between March 21 and April 25, on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the northern spring equinox

Maybe this seems a little far fetched, but I feel like being born on Easter means I have the privilege of having "Jesus on speed dial":) He has a special purpose for me and if I really listen...really quiet my mind and open my heart I might be lucky enough to figure it out.

But the truth is we ALL have this privilege. We all have "Jesus on speed dial" IF we invite Him.

Matthew 17:20 "He replied, "Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you. "

Have Faith

Follow His Word

Give Thanks to Him

Be in Awe of who He is (nothing is impossible for Jesus)

Never stop seeking Him (no matter what the circumstance)

This is Easter to me. Easter is about honoring Him.

And so this weekend, and every weekend, I honor you, Jesus, the creator of all things. The compass to my map. I was baptized two weeks ago in your honor and am so excited about your plans for me.

Nothing is Impossible...

In a world where so many things seem IMPOSSIBLE, these people, ideas and animals make us realize that ANYTHING is possible with the right attitude, effort and faith in God...

This man shows us that life really is a matter of perspective. Whatever is getting you down...get back up!

I've been following "The Patrick Miracle" on Facebook and he has quickly become one of my heroes. Patrick overcame the worst of Mankind. Nothing is impossible.

This is Patrick now...

Never Give Up.

His words, not mine...

It's quiet. It's early. My coffee is hot. The sky is still black. The world is still asleep. The day is coming.

In a few moments the day will arrive. It will roar down the track with with the rising of the sun. The stillness of the dawn will be exchanged for the noise of the day. The calm of solitude will be replaced with the pounding pace of the human race. The refuge of the early morning will be invaded by decisions to be made and deadlines to be met.

For the next twelve hours I will be exposed to the day's demands. It is now that I must make a choice. Because of Calvary, I'm free to choose. And so I choose.

I CHOOSE LOVE...
No occasion justifies hatred; no injustice warrants bitterness. I choose love. Today I will love God and what God loves.

I CHOOSE JOY...
I will invite my God to be the God of circumstance. I will refuse the temptation to be cynical...the tool of the lazy thinker. I will refuse to see people as anything less than human beings, created by God. I will refuse to see any problem as anything less than an opportunity to see God.

I CHOOSE PEACE...
I will live forgiven. I will forgive so that I may live.

I CHOOSE PATIENCE...
I will overlook the inconveniences of the world. Instead of cursing the one who takes my place, I'll invite him to do so. Rather than complain that the wait is too long, I will thank God for a moment to pray. Instead of clinching at my new assignments, I will face them with joy and courage.

I CHOOSE KINDNESS...
I will be kind to the poor, for they are alone. Kind to the rich, for they are afraid. And kind to the unkind, for such is how God has treated me.

I CHOOSE GOODNESS...
I will go without a dollar before I take a dishonest one. I will be overlooked before I boast. I will confess before I will accuse. I choose goodness.

I CHOOSE FAITHFULNESS...
Today I will keep my promises. My debtors will not regret their trust. My associates will not question my word. My husband/wife will not question my love. And my children will never fear that their father/mother will not come home.

I CHOOSE GENTLENESS...
Nothing is won by force, I choose to be gentle.
If I raise my voice may it be only in praise.
If I clench my fist, may it be only in prayer.
If I make a demand, may it be only at myself.

I CHOOSE SELF- CONTROL...
I am a spiritual being...
After this body is dead, my spirit will soar.
I refuse to let what will rot, rule the eternal.
I choose self-control. I will be drunk only by joy.
I will be impassioned only by my faith.
I will be influenced only by God.
I will be taught only by Christ.
I choose self-control.

Love, joy,peace, patience, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
To these I commit my day. If I succeed I will give thanks.
If I fail, I will seek His grace.
And then, when the day is done, I will place my head on my pillow and rest.

~Max Lucado
When God Whispers Your Name

Which commitment above is MOST difficult for you? I think "I will be overlooked before I boast" is a tough lesson. We all want credit. Whether it's a clean house or an assignment done, we want someone to recognize our work. Today I will tackle the jobs ahead with pride and fulfillment. No need to boast or look for recognition. I will be grateful for the opportunity to go about my day...