I wanted to add on another idea from last week’s “Drive vs Direction” post with another quick reminder that stems from 1 Corinthians 10:31 and Colossians 3:23-24.
“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”
1 Corinthians 10:31
“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.”
Colossians 3:23-24
Just like in last week’s post, we have a choice of where we put our foundational drive: our core purpose and meaning in life.
We will all eat and drink, but you can choose to do so for God’s glory or not.
We will all work, but you can choose to do so for God’s glory or not.
So what will you choose?
One of the most influential things I have ever read on this topic came from Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have A Dream” speech:
“If it falls your lot to be a street sweeper, sweep streets like Michelangelo painted pictures, sweep streets like Beethoven composed music, sweep streets like Leontyne Price sings before the Metropolitan Opera. Sweep streets like Shakespeare wrote poetry. Sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will have to pause and say: Here lived a great street sweeper who swept his job well.”
Martin Luther King Jr.
I don’t remember when I first read this quote,
but I do remember when it most impacted me.
When I was working at Starbucks, this quote came to mind and I remember for a couple solid weeks that I was constantly thinking about this quote and asking God to help me to do everything for His glory. Everything as unto Him. Even the boring, repetitive work of cleaning, making coffee and serving customers at Starbucks.
Now, I always would do my best at work,
But something was different when I had this mindset.
I didn’t merely do my best,
I did my best tirelessly,
I did my best… almost to the point where I would enjoy working in a way I hadn’t before.
And I’m so thankful God did that in my heart.
Because my co-workers took notice.
I was already one of the hardest workers,
But something else was different now.
And then the best part happened:
I had some coworkers complain about our jobs,
And they said they wished they could do something they love to do like I did.
And that was a way to share the Gospel with them that I never saw coming.
I got to share with them that I don’t actually enjoy our jobs anymore than they do.
Free coffee is awesome, but come on; coffee customer service is not what I’d call “fun”.
BUT, I got to share with them what (or Who) makes all the difference:
Jesus.
Simply doing my work unto Him opened up an opportunity to share the hope I have in Jesus and talk about how they could have the same hope and relationship with Him as I have.
And THIS is what I believe Peter meant when he wrote 1 Peter 3:15:
“But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.”
1 Peter 3:15
The reason for the hope that is in you
I think we’ve misconstrued this passage to mean that we need to study and know the reasons “why we believe what we believe.” To study the history and apologetics of the Christian faith.
Those things aren’t bad, but Peter didn’t say to “make a defense to people who doubt Jesus’ resurrection.”
Peter said to “make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you.“
And my defense for having joy at work?
Jesus.
My defense for having hope through trials?
Jesus.
My defense for forgiving when someone wrongs me?
Jesus.
My defense for asking for forgiveness when I wrong someone else?
Jesus.
Jesus.
Jesus.
I think you get the point.
A hope to be lived out, or an idea to be shared?
I have no problem with apologetics and learning a defense of scripture and history.
But, the Gospel is not merely an idea to be shared and defended.
No one will care what apologetics you learn and know,
If your life looks no different than their own.
And, truth be told: Jesus doesn’t care either.
You can know all the right things,
And still not follow Him.
You can say all the right things,
And still not know Him.
You can even do a bunch of good things,
And they still be meaningless and empty.
In fact, Jesus says that many will come to Him saying that they prophesied, cast out demons, and did many might works in His Name, and He won’t know them (Matthew 7:22).
Paul echos this idea that you can have a super Christian life with miracles and sacrifice and still be or gain nothing (1 Corinthians 13:1-3).
You know how to make it all worth it?
Surrender to Him.
And do everything as unto Him.
Which brings us back to the original passages:
“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”
1 Corinthians 10:31
“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.”
Colossians 3:23-24