Whatever We Do…Let’s Do it for God
When my husband and I were just-married-youngsters (18 & 17), we were given some not-so-appealing jobs by his dad. He was the pastor of the church and we were the designated church custodians. My husband was a perfectionist. Oh, yes, he was. I was NOT! The church got the best of his perfectionism. He was the floor cleaner and polisher. When he was finished, those floors glistened. I got the bathrooms, including the toilets. I would laughingly say “I’m kneeling before the porcelain throne”. I also said this scripture: “Whatever you do, do it from the heart, as something done for the Lord and not for people.” (Colossians 3:23). When I said those words with heart and soul, it made such a difference in making those toilets pristine clean.
We’re on this germ-free mindset — extra hand washing, using hand sanitizers, disinfecting our homes, drinking lots of water and eating lots of fruits and veggies for our immune system and social distancing ourselves. I’ve seen many of my neighbors posting on the Next Door app “Please let me know if I can run errands or pick up groceries for you!” I’ve watched you social media folks and you’re posting scriptures and calming words of hope. We may ask: “Is it really worth it? Are we really helping?” But, then this scripture comes up: “Brothers and sisters, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31) When we do EVERYTHING as God’s ambassadors, we are doing it – not just for us and those around us – but we’re doing it ALL for God’s glory. And, then, it makes Him even more famous!
So here we are – smack dab in the middle of this “state of emergency” and many of us are pretty much homebound as we abide by the social distancing guidelines. But, we can be at home and whatever we do, we can still do it for God’s glory. Like what I did yesterday. I called friends and family that I hadn’t spoken to in a long time. I texted and emailed words of cheer and encouragement. I prayed and read God’s words from His “medicine chest” — the Bible.
We can put uplifting and faith-filled words all over our homes. Keeping our minds filled with optimism and positivity (God’s Word is the best place to find that). We can get some Spring-cleaning done. I plan to start on clearing out unused clothes in my closet today! AND, this office chair that has had a broken arm rest for months? I ordered a new armrest from Amazon. It will be here today. Why did I wait so long?
When we stay on the side of optimism, peace and joy, we are doing all we do for God’s glory. Keeping in mind that we are still in the season of Lent, this is the perfect time to sacrifice all our complaints, worries and inconveniences with an attitude focused on the glory of God.
It’s not what we identify as the ideal Lenten season that leads up to Passion Week, but I think we can learn from our Savior’s example. Leading to the cross, He did everything for the glory of His Father. Was He inconvenienced? Was He misunderstood? Was He about His Father’s business in spite of it all? Perhaps it’s time to lean into Him more so we complain and worry less and prayerfully ask ourselves “In everything I do, am I doing it for the glory of God? If not – why not?