Your vocation--serving Christ

Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31).

There is a picture that was painted by a Dutch artist which shows the interior of a kitchen. There is a person in the room, busily putting away pots and pans so that the kitchen is ready for the next project. But the figure in the painting is not a human being; it is an angel.

This painting reminds us that our calling to be a Christian can be fulfilled in the most ordinary of surroundings. You don’t have to be a member of the clergy to serve God. You don’t have to be a lay leader in the parish. You can serve God in the ordinary day-to-day activities of your life. Paul advises, whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. You can serve our Lord by donating to the food pantry. You can serve Jesus by teaching your children the Ten Commandments, the Apostles’ Creed and the Lord’s Prayer. You can serve God by earning money to feed and shelter the family He has entrusted to Your care.

This is why it is important to remember who your heavenly Master is whatever you are doing. If you are lazy at work, it reflects badly on the God you claim to honor. If you treat a customer poorly, it disgraces the cross of Christ that you wear on your necklace. If you scream at your children, what are they learning about the God who you represent as the parent appointed by heaven to be spiritual leader in the home?

When you cook a meal, cook the best meal that you can, because when you feed your family you can be showing them God’s loving care through your hands. When you are at a game, demonstrate good sportsmanship, because your behavior can demonstrate how the Holy Spirit helps us to work together in harmony. When you get mad at your parents or spouse or children, forgive them, because in this way you show the same mercy by which Jesus has forgiven you and made you a member of His family forever. Please join me in praying:

We thank You, heavenly Father, for giving us so many different ways to serve You. We thank You for evangelists and missionaries and teachers. We thank You for farmers and homemakers and construction workers. We thank You for doctors and nurses and pharmacists. We thank You for sales clerks and bankers and truck drivers. All of these professions, and so many more, allow Your people to thank You with their love by serving others as Your hands and Your voice. Help us to dedicate every waking moment to You. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.