Devotion: At Work
At Work
Please take a moment and read the scripture from this weekend:
1 Corinthians 13:4-7
I bought a new graphic t-shirt that says, “Stay Positive.” I’d like to say the shirt is a reminder for the people around me, but honestly, it’s for myself. I’ve really noticed a negative aura the last few months, as I’m sure you have, too. It is permeating social media, check-out lines, places of work, homes, and yes, even my own heart. So many negative thoughts, words and deeds are prevalent.
I like to understand things when I want them to change, and to some extent, I can understand this. Factors of pandemic fatigue, social justice, political rhetoric, a spring season that seems to not want to show itself, coupled with the normal irritations of living with other humans, braving health issues, securing daily finances and just trying to keep a clean house and all the mouths in it fed, can certainly lead one to lash out in a negative way. But is this what Jesus wants from me? And if not, how do I change it? Can I just say, “Self, stop it.” Sometimes, yes. Other times, I need some concrete ways to help.
On Sunday, Pastor Eric gave us three practices to work on to feel that our “daily work is holy and sacred ground and a gift from God”. The first is to practice gratitude, to make a list of things you are thankful for and keep a record of it. The second is to truly believe that Jesus is All-Knowing, that he cares about everything you are doing and wants to point you toward God. And the third is to practice love in your work, to reflect on 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 and apply it to the daily details of your life. My goal this week is to stay positive and practice these so that, like Pastor Eric said, “Jesus is revealed through you, not just to you.”
Gracious Father,
You certainly know all things. You know our hearts, our minds, and our thoughts even before we are conscious of or have acted on them. Help us to be the ones to lift our neighbors, to refuse hate, to forgive as Jesus forgives. Bind us together as a community that loves you more than ourselves and help us to reveal Jesus’ greatest sacrifice through our words and actions. Christ is risen. He is risen indeed, Alleluia.
Amen
Written by Julie Anderson
Julie Anderson is a member of Sheridanโs Devotion Writing Team. She works as Sheridanโs Childrenโs Music Coordinator where she is passionate about teaching children to use their musical gifts to praise God.
๏ปฟJulie is married to Scott and counts her greatest honor as being mom to Adrienne, Eliot and Elise.