We conclude our series this week on The Discipline of Work. We pray it has been an encouragement to you, transforming the way you think about and approach your own work that the Lord has given you to do, in service to others.
There are many people who have no one on earth to do their work for. The boss is a hard woman to be avoided at all costs; there is no family at home waiting for the paycheck; nobody really cares whether they like their jobs; nobody thanks them. What does the discipline of work mean for them?
What Paul had to say to the slaves in the church in Colossaeshould help us here. “Slaves, give entire obedience to your earthly masters, not merely with an outward show of service, to curry favour with men, but with single-mindedness, out of reverence for the Lord. Whatever you are doing, put your whole heart into it, as if you were doing it for the Lord and not for men, knowing that there is a Master who will give you your heritage as a reward for your service. Christ is the Master whose slaves you must be.”
I try to imagine what it would be like to be a slave during thetime of the Roman Empire. We who live in a free country in thiscentury bring to our imaginings many factors that probably didnot trouble them then. Few, I suppose, gave much thought to themoral question of slavery. Many were glad to have somebody else in charge of their lives, as many today are glad, even though they would not want the label of slaves. I feel fairly sure, however, that giving entire obedience to an earthly master was not easier for first-century slaves than it is for twenty-first-century employees and/or disciples. It was undoubtedly a good deal harder. Working with single-mindedness, out of reverence for the Lord, has always been difficult if for no other reason than that the enemy of our souls would rather we be double-minded and see only the human boss, with all his failings. If there was a slave driver cracking a whip for fourteen hours a day, imagine putting your whole heart into it.
The Christian attitude toward work is truly revolutionary. Thinkwhat it would do to the economy and the entire fabric of life ifthe question were asked daily, in the kitchen, in the office, theschoolroom, the plant: “Who is your Master?” and the answer were given: “Christ is my Master, whose slave I am.” It would transform in a stroke not only the worker’s attitude toward the boss, but his attitude toward those who work with him. No longer would he be scheming ways to outdo them, cheat them, gain preference over them in the employer’s eyes. He would not be seeking ways to evade work that he doesn’t like and letting George do it. It would change his attitude toward the work itself because he would do it not for show, not for promotion or bonuses or compliments or the free trip to Las Vegas, but with single-mindedness, for Christ.
It would change the quality of the work, for he has a Master who sees what no other overseer could spot: not only every detail of the work done, but the intentions of the heart. The workman would know that the work, no matter how demeaning it might otherwise be, however routine, how humble, really does matter.It will be noticed.
When Lars and I climbed the tower of Norwich Cathedral, we discovered, far up in the narrowest, darkest stairway, a few small faces carved into the stone. Who was the workman who chiseled them? For whom? Did he expect the public to acknowledge hiswork in so obscure a place? He must have done it for God.
Think of the brightness there will be in the place where work is done for God. Think of the peace in the heart of the worker who lifts it up to Him.
**Excerpt originally published in Joyful Surrender, pp.126-127