THANKFUL to SHOVEL SNOW?

I really enjoy seeing how beautiful the snow makes everything look.  I do not even mind driving in it.  But moving it from point A to point B - well that is another matter. A snow drift can look pretty until you have try to move it out of the way.  Who would have believe that those tiny fluffy flakes could join together into such a heavy shovel full. Yet there I was moving snow from my driveway to the yard. I was OK with it - but not really excited or joyful - OR enthusiastic about the process. I was thankful my little electric snow blower was working and could handle the job.  I was very thankful to be done and then a neighbor plowed the street several times with his plow and he filled the end of my driveway with deep snow - again ... not one single happy thought crossed my mind at that moment.  It wasn't until later that I was able to get my attitude right. 

Part of what we all face in life are tasks or work which needs to be done.  How we do that work (no matter what that work may be) matters to God.   Martin Luther writing about the God's view of work said this: "Your work is a sacred matter - God delights in it - and through it He wants to bestow His blessings on you." Let's look at these verses together.

Colossians 3:23-24 (HCS)  Whatever you do, do it enthusiastically, as something done for the Lord and not for men, knowing that you will receive the reward of an inheritance from the Lord. You serve the Lord Christ.

In this context Paul is giving instructions to slaves who are Christians. So he is not referring to someone who is well compensated for doing a job they love. He is talking about doing their jobs in such a way that the Lord would be proud of them for their efforts and their attitudes.  Paul reminds them that they are not only serving their owners they are serving the LORD Christ. No matter what the task may be,  or what work I must do, I can have it as my goal to “do it enthusiastically, as something done for the Lord.”  After all whether shoveling snow or vacuuming the floor - whether changing a diaper or going to my job - I must remember it is the LORD Christ I am serving.

PRAYER: Lord God I do not always enjoy the jobs or tasks that I have to do.  But I do want to respond to whatever situation I face by doing it for YOU.  Help me to be able to remember that I can honor you with my attitude and my Effort no matter what the task may be.