As Unto You

Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. – (Colossians 3:23, NLT)

Whatever you do, do it from the heart for the Lord and not for people. – (Colossians 3:23, CEB)

Put your heart and soul into every activity you do, as though you are doing it for the Lord Himself and not merely for others. – (Colossians 3:23, TPT)

 

After student-led conferences, there is a sort of shift as we are race forward into the holiday season. We have a four-day week this week, less than three-day week next week, then we are only a month away until Christmas Break. Calendars fill rapidly, and it is easy to over-commit. That being said, my intent going into this busy, but beautiful season, is going to be – if I cannot put my heart and soul into whatever it is, as if unto the Lord, then my answer to the invitation will need to be a “no”. My family, my job, and my existing commitments to that which I am called, have to be my priority as I go. I love people deeply, and grew up as a “pleaser”, so I must be certain that my motivation is as unto the Lord. He is well-pleased with us because we are His, not for anything that we do or do not do. May we keep our eyes fixed on the Lord as we walk into this wonderful season, and allow Him to lead us into the things that we can do with our whole heart.

 

In all that we do,

May it be done well;

As unto the Lord,

Love’s own personnel.

As we choose commit,

To events and tasks;

We need make certain,

Our heart in it lasts.

How we choose to work,

The care placed in things;

Is our way to show,

The good that God brings.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You call us to do all things as unto You. Thank You that we are not created to please people, but rather to be obedient to You. Thank You that as we live and love according to Your call, work is done well and people are loved as You love. Forgive us for the times that we have over-committed ourselves and have been pulled in so many different directions that we were unable to fully invest in anything. Teach us to balance our time and place our whole heart into the things that we are called to do. Show us how to love and prioritize people as we work as unto You. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we put our heart and soul into every activity that we do, as unto You. Amen.

 

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

 

A person’s steps are directed by the Lord. How then can anyone understand their own way? – Proverbs 20:24

 

Prepare Your Minds for Action

So prepare your minds for action and exercise self-control. Put all your hope in the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world. – (1 Peter 1:13)

 

Self-control and intentional action come when we are firmly rooted and established in the hope that we hold. When we know from Whom our salvation comes, and where we can place our hope, we are ready to act as we are called and refrain from that which is a “no” or a “not yet“. Let us prepare our minds for action and choose to exercise self-control as we place all of our hope in the grace granted through salvation so that we are ready for our Redeemer’s return.

 

May our hearts prepare,

For the Lord’s return;

As we choose hold hope,

In truth we have learned.

Exercise control,

In word and in deed;

Be led by the Lord,

Help where we see need.

For when Christ returns,

May our whole lives show;

A life lived in love,

With desire to grow.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that when we seek You and Your help, You prepare our minds for action and You grant us the strength to exercise self-control. Thank You that You are our Source of hope, as salvation is found in You alone. Forgive us for not clinging to the truth that we already know, or for neglecting to seek You for the strength that we need to navigate our days. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would be ever prepared for active obedience, exercising self-control as we hope in You. Show us how to love those around us in such a way, that hope in You might be revealed. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we prepare our minds for action and exercise self-control, so that our hope in You might be made known. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

Your righteousness reaches to the skies, O God, You who have done great things. Who, O God, is like You? – Psalm 71:19