| Good morning everyone, Our theme for this month: “Enjoy the journey by redeeming the time” Our Bible verse for today: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.” Colossians 3:23 (NIV) Our thought for today: “Work hard, rest well, play often” I am truly a blessed man. I have work to do that I thoroughly enjoy and which I find to be rich, rewarding, and deeply fulfilling. I’m a pastor and a writer, and I love doing both. And let me be quick to add that those are not separate ministries that compete for my time and attention, they are one in the same. They’re both part of a whole. Writing is part of my ministry as a pastor and I love doing both. I have friends who enjoy their work just as much as I enjoy mine, and I’m happy for them because I believe we should find joy and satisfaction in what we do. Also, that should continue to be true even after we’re retired and no longer working for a paycheck. Even then our lives should be filled with meaningful activities that we find rewarding and fulfilling, and which make a difference in the world. I mentioned yesterday that I’m preparing for three weeks of vacation this month. As much as I enjoy my work, I do need a break from it. But if I didn’t have the work, what would I need a break from? The break is only helpful and meaningful if I need it because of the work that occurs the rest of the year. That’s also true for those who are retired but whose lives are productive and filled with meaningful activities that make a difference. Rest is better and more enjoyable when it comes after a job well done. Our thought for today reminds us that we need to have a healthy theology of work. By that I mean “work” in the sense that Paul meant it in Colossians 3:23 – meaningful activities that make a difference even if it isn’t done for a paycheck. (I have many retired friends who are active in church ministries, community projects, and in service to others. They stay busy by helping sick neighbors, or volunteering at local non-profit organizations, or by mentoring at-risk children from broken homes, and so much more. Even in the “retirement” years, their days are filled with rich and rewarding activities that matter). That’s a healthy theology of “work” and it goes a long way towards enjoying the journey of life by redeeming the time that has been granted to us. A healthy theology of rest and sabbath is essential. We need it. But it has to be connected to and flowing out of a healthy theology of work. I encourage you to have both. It’s important to be productive in life. We should work hard, rest well, and play often. We’ll spend the rest of the month gaining a better understanding of that important truth. God bless, Pastor Jim |
| Copyright © 2022 Oak Hill Baptist Church, All rights reserved. |
-
Follow
Following
Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
Oak Hill Baptist Church 