Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there is no favoritism. Colossians 3:22-25 (NIV)
Divine service is not merely done in a few hours here and there or in a few high and lofty places. But all of life becomes holiness to the Lord. In every place and in every task we do is as consecrated as what we may deem as the most holiest and majestic. The “whatever you do” in the above verses encompasses everything – and that means everything. Indeed, there is no such thing as menial work in God’s kingdom as He makes all work – even what we may think of as “menial” or “drudgery” - divine. He exalts our weary routines and makes them holy ground. Take Jesus’ life for example as He stooped to wash His disciples’ feet. Indeed, the whole of His life was one of stooping – all the way to the cross - should we view anything differently as His disciples now? Indeed, the most humble of occupations, if done for God’s glory, a halo surrounds.
The world is full of “pecking orders” is it not? It seems that everyone is looking for somebody to make them feel bigger and better than. Our sinful hearts often think too highly of self. But our example, Jesus, came to turn the world upside down in its thinking – give to get, stoop to rise, die to live – you get the picture. God does not operate as the world does. Wherever He places us, whatever He calls our hands to do or our words to speak – we are to do all for the glory of God. We see Jesus’ face in everyone we serve and that makes our labor light as we do all as unto Him.
By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work. If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames. 1 Corinthians 3:10-15 (NIV)