Wholeheartedness
This past week I served at VBS. It was a great week with a wonderful emphasis on the Word of God and its place in our lives. It was easy to get up early and go to church everyday because there was a feeling that what I was doing was important; I was serving the Lord; sharing in His work with my church family; seeing the kids enjoy themselves and many giving their hearts to the Lord. Then the "mountain top" experience is over and I find myself at home with dishes, laundry, and "stuff" to deal with. It's easy to look at these things as dull and non-important. But then I remember that caring for my family and home is just as important -maybe even more important - than serving at VBS. I recalled reading this in my study on "A Life of Worship" and it was a good reminder to do whatever is in front of me at the moment with my whole heart.
We all know there are things in life that have to be done, no matter how dull or unpleasant they might be. Those who can afford it pay others to do these tasks for them. Most of us, though, have to take care of them ourselves. There is no glory in these chores, and so they often become a drudgery. We come to resent having to do "servant's work" and being taken for granted. As we work, we mumble and grumble. What's more, we are tempted to approach these jobs half-heartedly, doing slipshod work, or even avoiding them altogether. It's called giving things a lick and a promise - just a quick dab and the promise to do a better job next time.
But have you realized that, when you pursue something with your whole heart, it does not become a drudgery? When we set our minds to do the task in front of us, when we give a job our full attention, when we do our work to the best of our ability, our efforts are rewarded. Even the most commonplace tasks present us with a way to bring glory to God. So shift your perspective - decide to approach life wholeheartedly. What kinds of things have become a drudgery to you - household chores, your job, your involvement at church, Bible reading, prayer? Don't just give them a lick and a promise. Do them with your whole heart!
When it comes to God, there is no half way. No middle of the road. No sitting on the fence. He wants our all. Take a look at Deuteronomy 10:12,13. What does this verse say God requires of His people? Take a look:
What does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways and to love Him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments of the Lord and His statutes which I command you today for your good?
There is no right way to glorify God, because God asks different things of all of us. Ponder God's plans for you. What gifts has He given you? What opportunities do you have to use them? Ask for the strength to do the thing in front of you wholeheartedly. Give God your best, and He will receive the glory.
-A Life of Worship
Women of Faith
We all know there are things in life that have to be done, no matter how dull or unpleasant they might be. Those who can afford it pay others to do these tasks for them. Most of us, though, have to take care of them ourselves. There is no glory in these chores, and so they often become a drudgery. We come to resent having to do "servant's work" and being taken for granted. As we work, we mumble and grumble. What's more, we are tempted to approach these jobs half-heartedly, doing slipshod work, or even avoiding them altogether. It's called giving things a lick and a promise - just a quick dab and the promise to do a better job next time.
But have you realized that, when you pursue something with your whole heart, it does not become a drudgery? When we set our minds to do the task in front of us, when we give a job our full attention, when we do our work to the best of our ability, our efforts are rewarded. Even the most commonplace tasks present us with a way to bring glory to God. So shift your perspective - decide to approach life wholeheartedly. What kinds of things have become a drudgery to you - household chores, your job, your involvement at church, Bible reading, prayer? Don't just give them a lick and a promise. Do them with your whole heart!
When it comes to God, there is no half way. No middle of the road. No sitting on the fence. He wants our all. Take a look at Deuteronomy 10:12,13. What does this verse say God requires of His people? Take a look:
What does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways and to love Him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments of the Lord and His statutes which I command you today for your good?
There is no right way to glorify God, because God asks different things of all of us. Ponder God's plans for you. What gifts has He given you? What opportunities do you have to use them? Ask for the strength to do the thing in front of you wholeheartedly. Give God your best, and He will receive the glory.
-A Life of Worship
Women of Faith
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