Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Servanthood – Ephesians 6:7-8 – Serve Wholeheartedly – Growing As Disciples
Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men, because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free. Ephesians 6:7-8 (NIV)
Your Work
In the past I have not always had the best attitude about my work. Frequently I have moaned and groaned about my job. I have gone along to get along. I have done just a little more than enough to get by. I have dreaded each day of work and looked forward to when I would be off work. My heart has certainly not been fully in my work. My effort has been nothing that could be called anything like wholehearted. I have always known that I could do better. I have always thought that I could work harder and accomplish more.
Why haven’t you always worked hard and accomplished more? At times my attitude and perspective have been all wrong. I have thought that I was working at a job to please an employer. So, I would do just enough to satisfy my boss. Who is your employer and your boss? That is a very important question. The answer to that question has changed my entire attitude and perspective about my work. How so? I have come to realize that I am not working for an earthly employer and boss. I am working for you. You see my effort. You see all that I have accomplished. You know how hard I have worked. You know if my effort has been half-hearted. Yes, I do. One day I want to hear you say, “Well done, good and faithful servant”. I will never hear that if my work is half-hearted. No, you will not. But, you are now giving yourself fully to the work that I have set before you. Yes, I am. That pleases me.
I am glad that you want to serve me with all your heart. As you give yourself fully to your work you will be a bright and shining witness for me in the world. There is something important that I want you to know. What’s that? You are a very hard worker. I have seen all your hard work. You stick to a job and don’t give up. You persevere and keep on going. You are tenacious in your efforts. That brings me to a concern that I have for you. What’s that? You can work too hard. You can be too focused. You can burn yourself out physically, emotionally and spiritually. I don’t want you to be always working. There is a time to rest and relax. There is a time to be renewed, refreshed and revived. You cannot keep on serving me with all your heart if you don’t continually take steps be renewed, refreshed and revived. There is a time to leave your work and come to me. Come rest and relax in my presence. Let me give you new strength to serve me. Yes, Lord, I will.
Lord, I have allowed myself to become depleted. I’m worn out physically, emotionally and spiritually. There is no wonder why I have not been joyfully serving you. Help me to have new zeal, meaning, purpose and wholehearted attitude in the work I do for you. Amen
For today’s complete 4 page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide click here:
Servanthood – Ephesians 6-7-8 – Serve Wholeheartedly – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide
For today’s complete 4 page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide click here:
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