Whatever You Do

Colossians 3:23 – Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men. (NIV)

Matthew 5:16 – In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. (NIV)

Christmas had barrelled down upon us like a northern blizzard. The season was a whirlwind of activity speedily blowing by us. Now New Year was upon us, but procrastination gripped me.

Amid my retirement freedom from bosses, it was simply too attractive to go easy on myself and read the latest novel sent by another author. I rationalized that I had promised to review it online, but I knew that I'd not put it down until it was finished. Then, nothing else would get done, such as taking down the Christmas wreath hanging just beneath the porch roof. It seemed to mock my preoccupation with how I was going to place a ladder in knee-deep snow to accomplish that feat. It would be so easy to simply let it go until Easter!

That's when today's verse from Colossians danced through my mind. Whatever I did, whether it be writing, or removing Christmas decorations, I needed to do it with all my heart as if I were working for the Lord. For Paul, sloth was not an option.

But how does a person overcome such habits? First, through prayer for guidance, and then, by simply picking a place to start and doing it. Whenever we resolve through prayer and Scriptural direction to change a habit, we will not go far wrong in our efforts. With the Lord working within us, we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. In a "what's-in-it-for-me" world, our attitude will proclaim our faith. When we work with all our heart, then others will know that we are Christians through our actions.

The good news is preached through our diligence in doing daily tasks.

Prayer: Father God, we pray for Your Holy Spirit to dwell in us and enable us to proclaim the good news message of Christmas throughout this coming year in all our words and deeds, for we pray in Jesus' name. Amen.

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