Colossians 3:23-24
23 Remember in everything that you work for him and not for men. 24 In return, he will give you the inheritance that he promised. You know that. For Jesus Christ is your true Lord!
Each of us has had the experience of working for an unsympathetic manager in one way or another. Sometimes you have a teacher who disapproves of what I've done and sometimes it's bosses who make life difficult for you. Whatever one does and no matter how hard one tries, it seems that we are not able to fulfill the requirements in a way that satisfies the other person. So it is not surprising if some people find the work they do to be a burden. Early in the morning, when the alarm clock rings, the first thought that comes to mind is that of closing time. You don't enjoy your work and you would prefer to avoid meeting your supervisor for the first time. You feel helpless and frustrated, and then you feel that way because of your own inferior feelings. And when you get through the hardship of the day and come home in the evening, you feel empty and burned out. And I the nights give you neither the necessary rest nor the much-needed rest. Often one wakes up at night and immediately thinks about a situation or problem that one had at work or will have the next day.
I have experienced these situations myself and can sing a song about it. When I think back to the time when I was still on the road without believing in the risen Jesus Christ, then, looking back, I no longer know where I got the strength from to endure this frustration and stress day in and day out.
But when I came to believe, I was able to experience that the divine power is truly real. Even today. The verse in Colossians 3 actually helped me with that. Not only in relation to the work I do, but in general. Everything I do, I do first and foremost for God. This truth took the pressure off me and helped me to be content with what I do. Not the person, the boss or the teacher is important, but only Jesus Christ. This verse may also put pressure on some of my fellow believers, but it has relaxed me. God knows exactly how I tick and with what heart attitude I approach things. I don't have to explain to him why I do something the way I do it because he knows me. By heart.
That's why I'm still exposed to the unsympathetic boss or teacher, nothing has changed that, but faith changes something in ourselves. When we realize that we are valued by God as human beings, then we perceive the external pressure much less strongly. And I was able to experience, for example, that one day I began to pray for my superior. On the one hand that God sends someone to tell him about Jesus Christ and on the other hand that God protects me from inferior feelings. And you can believe me when I tell you that the power of prayer is not to be underestimated. I did not experience that my superior found God, but I did experience how something changed in me. And I experienced that God became more and more important in my life. My nights became more restful and, over time, I lost the daily frustration as well.
As believers in Christ, all things we do are primarily things we do for him, God. And he, Jesus Christ, will give us the reward. For a worker is worth his wages.
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