“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” (Colossians 3:23-24)

Last week we looked at the first part of this verse—the importance of working with all our hearts…being fully engaged for the glory of God. 

This week I'd like to focus on the first word in the verse, “whatever.” WHATEVER we do, we do it as working for the Lord! All work is holy; there is no dichotomy between the secular and sacred. In fact, according to this text, we are serving Christ through our work.

If you are a teacher or a trainer, your work is holy…your work is worship! 

If you work as a welder, your work is holy…your work is worship!

If you are a stay-at-home mom, your work is holy…your work is worship!

If you work in design, or build websites, your work is holy…your work is worship!

If you are in the medical world, your work is holy…your work is worship!

If you are a supervisor or work in quality control, your work is holy…your work is worship!

And, yes…if you are a chef…your work is definitely holy…and not only is your work worship…but you also help me worship!

In Deuteronomy 23:12-13, we even see a demonstration of God's concern and rule over various sectors of society including the sewage system. All work that we engage in is holy, even if we are tasked with waste removal or sewage treatment. (Here's how I practically apply that passage: I travel through Chicago's O'Hare all the time. Whenever I encounter a janitor, I thank them for their work, for their under-appreciated effort in making hurried and harried travelers' lives better. Not only do I appreciate clean bathrooms, but I also want them to know that their work is holy, and sacred, making the world a better place!)