“Whatever you do, do it with gratitude and passion unto the Lord—that is, for Jesus’ glory and honor. Don’t do anything for people’s praise, to get them to change, or just to feel better about yourself. Serving the Lord from your heart won’t earn you anything, but in his perfect timing, Jesus will give you the rewards of grace. Never forget, you are serving the Lord Christ, who died to give you himself, have you for himself, and give you an inheritance beyond all imagination and calculation.” My Paraphrase of Col.3:23-24.
Lord Jesus, what might it feel like if we did everything “as unto you”? It’d feel great as long as we’re grounded in grace, thoroughly convinced you are our righteousness, and have no doubts about your love for us. Otherwise we’d drift right back into “he loves me less, he loves me more, maybe he doesn’t love me at all” spirituality.
But since the Gospel is true, and you are both our forgiveness and our righteousness, here are some things we want freedom to do more fully for your honor and glory.
Jesus, free us to parent unto you—to steward, love, and serve our kids as though they belong more too you than to us. Forgive us for looking to our kids’ performance, love for us, and success as our identity.
Jesus, free us to “spouse” unto you—when marriage is easy-breezy, more than we bargained for, or when we are way over the honeymoon and way in seasons of suffering, weakness, boredom, and loneliness.
Jesus, free us to do our jobs—our vocations, as unto you. Forgive us for turning our jobs into an idol factory of self-glory—more money, more fame, more power, more time spent on the job, and much less in fellowship with you and caring for people.
Jesus, free us to plan, spend, and love as unto you. Jesus, by your reckoning, “the only thing that counts is faith expressing itself in love.” None of us will ever pine from our deathbed, “I so wish I had been more of a workaholic, a wealthy superficial friend, and a spiritual flyweight.” So Very Amen
