Our work on earth is to fulfill a divine purpose

Jerry’s phone beeped and he quickly went to check it, hoping to receive an update on his application for the role of a Supervisor at his office. It was indeed an email inviting him for a second interview with the Senior Managers. He smiled as he envisioned himself as the new Supervisor.

Three weeks later, he received another update. This time, it was an unpleasant news – his application will not be progressing further.

“Has anyone seen Jerry this morning?”, Hugh, a Manager in the department, asked his team members as they were preparing for their morning tasks.

“No”, replied several voices.

Hugh’s phone beeped. “I am on my way but resuming late” read the message from Jerry.

“As usual”, Hugh murmured under his breath.

Jerry had a bad reputation for resuming late to work, making personal calls for lengthy periods during work hours, displaying a careless attitude to work, and always getting in trouble with other team members.

Surprisingly, his character seemed to change when he was applying for the new role. Everyone was surprised as he began resuming early, taking work seriously and cooperating with his co-workers. But as soon as he realised the position was given to a new employee who only resumed three months earlier, he reverted back to his former sour attitude.

Some Christians in the Thessalonian church were not taking their work seriously. “For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies” (2 Thessalonians 3:11).

As Christians, we are encouraged to have a serious attitude to our work. “Not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord” (Romans 12:11). In our workplaces, we have a tremendous opportunity to represent Christ and live for His glory. The Bible tells us that we are the salt of the earth and the light of the world (Matthew 5:13, 14). Those who are yet to see the light of Jesus might be convinced to respond positively to the gospel message through our godly actions at work.

Ultimately, we do not work for our boss or any man – we work to fulfil a divine purpose and our reward is with the Lord. “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ” (Colossians 3:23-24).