August 19

The flip sides of the same coin can be summed up in the phrase, ‘’Work—our drudgery and our reward,’’ regarding the tasks to which we are called to labor on a daily basis. Whether we are doctors or engineers or teachers or house wives, we have something viable to do each time the sun rises in the morning.

Some of us take delight in our work. We thrive on each plateau of success we attain. We enjoy helping others as doctors—restoring people to health when they have been harmed by disease or disorder; as teachers—helping young people to reach for their loftiest academic success; as engineers—building something new to benefit mankind.

Whatever our line of work may be, even if it is insignificant in the eyes of the world, we are admonished by Jesus Himself to, make “…My food to do the will of Him who sent Me and to completely finish His work” (John 4:34). Jesus’ work was to fulfill the will of the Father. That, in our busy world of laboring to excel at our work, is the only essential task for us, too.

Whatever our profession or calling may be, if we are not performing it with the Lord’s end in mind, we are wasting our time. If we aren’t endeavoring to lift up His name by our effort, no matter what accolades men may bestow upon us, we are laboring in vain, for it is only the voice of God we desire ultimately to hear—affirming that we have done well.