June 22, 2008 4:18 PM
Elisabeth Elliot on doing a job you don't like
I know this wisdom from Elisabeth Elliot will resonate with moms! When I do the humblest tasks for my family, I think of Mary breaking her alabaster jar and using her riches to anoint Jesus. God doesn't look at the kind of work we do, but at our hearts as we do it.
Which makes me feel blessed to have a calling that provides such an opportunity for spiritual discipline.
How to Do the Job You Don't Really Want To Do
Certain aspects of the job the Lord has given me to do are very easy to postpone. I make excuses, find other things that take precedence, and, when I finally get down to business to do it, it is not always with much grace. A new perspective has helped me recently:
The job has been given to me to do.
Therefore it is a gift.
Therefore it is a privilege.
Therefore it is an offering I may make to God.
Therefore it is to be done gladly, if it is done for Him.
Therefore it is the route to sanctity.Here, not somewhere else, I may learn God's way. In this job, not in some other, God looks for faithfulness. The discipline of this job is, in fact, the chisel God has chosen to shape me with--into the image of Christ.
Thank you, Lord, for the work You have assigned me. I take it as your gift; I offer it back to you. With your help I will do it gladly, faithfully, and I will trust You to make me holy.
As always, I'd like to encourage you to include Elisabeth Elliot in your morning reading. She gives you a lot to think about during the day. Subscribe to her daily devotions here. You can also see a bunch of my favorites here.
Posted in Elisabeth Elliot, Inspiration | Permalink
Comments
Barbara, I have been so inspired by your postings of Elisabeth Elliot's devotions that I signed up for her daily devotions and have been enjoying them since. In fact, I just printed out today's devotion on pretty paper and taped it to the inside of one of my kitchen cabinet doors as a reminder!
Posted by: KatieButler | June 22, 2008 7:02 PM
