Over the past couple of years I have found it hard to understand where I stand in this world. Even just this weekend I was feeling a complete lack of acknowledgment and under appreciation. I bust my tail every day doing that which I am instructed to do and when the day ends, I have accomplished the work, only to be handed more with feels like I am simply a tool that does a job.
Being treated as a tool or machine that is there to complete a task is very discouraging and even a bit demoralizing. I do work that gets results feeling a lack of acceptance or even being acknowledged does nothing for my mental or emotional state each day.
“5Slaves, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ,…8knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free.” – Ephesians 6:5 & 8 (ESV)
Paul explains to the Church at Ephesus that it is their duty to do the work for Christ and not man. Yes, as “slaves” or employees we do have work to do for our employers, but that work is not what give us our rewards in heaven. That work is simply the place where we display the work we do for Christ. We are chosen to complete work for Christ that only we are chosen to do. Where we accomplish that work is already known and where we are is the place to complete that work.
It is right for us to do the work of the Lord everywhere were go and are. I have to remember that the work given me by God is for His glory and not mine. Christ has me in a place to impact that place the way He has for me to impact it. I am to continue carrying out His work regardless of the reward or acknowledgment I do or do not receive.
What is right is right and where I accomplish that is where I am. God’s commands are more important than the commands of those of this world. I have a duty as Paul notes to obey my worldly masters, but that is only in so much as that is where I have been tasked with doing the work of God.
“6not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, 7rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man,” – Ephesians 6:6-7 (ESV)
I am of God, and that is where my ultimate allegiance lies. I will please Him in His eyes. I have a duty to obey those in this world, only as that does not conflict with what is right in the eyes of God. I obey the Lord first and do His work as it is right and good.
When you are in the world, where are your allegiances? Who is it that you are in obedience to? Will you obey the Lord, wherever you are because it is right?
Trevor's Thoughts 