Unto the Lord

This morning, while doing my exercises, a challenging verse came to mind. You see, I don’t like exercising, so I didn’t have a good attitude about what I was doing. But here’s the verse: “Whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord” (Colossians 3:23, KJV). So I imagined that the Lord had asked me to do the exercises in order to keep my body limber and strong to serve Him. And guess what! I was able to continue with enthusiasm.

Now maybe I’m taking the verse out of context. It was actually included in a list of things for all members of the household to do. Specific things directed to wives, husbands, children, fathers, and slaves. Here it is in the J. B. Phillips translation: “Slaves, your job is to obey your masters, not with the idea of currying favour, but as a sincere expression of your devotion to God. Whatever you do, put your whole heart and soul into it, as into work done for God, and not merely for men—knowing that your real reward, a heavenly one, will come from God, since you are actually employed by Christ, and not just by your earthly master” (Colossians 3:22-24, J. B. Phillips).

But the whole list is preceded by this, which kind of says the same thing. “Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him” (Colossians 3:16-17, NIV). So I think we can consider this as a general principle, which applies to all of us at all times.

For example, I’m not fond of housecleaning. But when I imagine that Jesus is coming to my house, and I’m preparing for Him, I do it with joy. Do you see what a difference it makes in our attitude when we consider Him? So that’s our encouragement, our challenge, our word of wisdom for today. “Whatever you do” (that means everything) “work at it with all your heart” (that means with enthusiasm), “as working for the Lord” (that’s our motivation from Colossians 3:23, NIV). We do it all as “unto the Lord.”

Will you accept the challenge as you go about your activities today?