We were created in God’s image. That means we were created to do what HE does. God does work.
O Lord, how manifold are Your WORKS! In wisdom You have made them all. The earth is full of Your possessions.
Psalms 104:24
We are God’s amazing and intricate workmanship. We are each unique and wonderful. We were created to WORK for God’s glory. God ordained WORK in the Garden of Eden. This was before the fall of man.
Then the Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to TEND and KEEP it.
Genesis 2:15 NKJV
Through the gift of salvation, we are freed from the power of eternal death. We have an amazing opportunity to work. AND, we can KNOW our work is meaningful and significant for all ETERNITY.
O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?” The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the VICTORY through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the WORK of the Lord, knowing that your LABOR is NOT in VAIN in the Lord.
1 Corinthians 15:55-58 NKJV
The work of the Lord can be done everywhere we go. It should be reflected in everything we say and do. We should be the one employers look at and say “I wish all my employees were like them.” Our lifestyle and countenance should be one that inspires others to desire to know the message of the Gospel. The spirit of God should flow through us and draw others to God.
But what about retirement?
I searched the Bible and couldn’t find one scripture about retirement—for the purpose of pursuing leisure. Even the Levitical priests when they finished their years of service were to still assist their brothers. (Number 8:24-26.) I’ve never seen a scripture that talks about living a life of leisure—well—except to warn of the dangers of it. In fact, the Bible characterizes living for pleasure as being “dead.”
But she who lives in pleasure is DEAD while she lives.
1 Timothy 5:6
This may not be easy to stomach, but, my friend, as long as we’re alive in this body, we don’t EVER retire from the WORK of God. We are living on a battlefield. We must put on the armor of God because the work we do is CRITICAL to the eternity of the lost. Jesus said:
I MUST WORK the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.
John 9:4-5
You may ask: “If I can’t retire, what do I have to look forward to?” “What am I working so hard for?” Well, that’s a question we all must ask ourselves. Indeed, this assessment has provoked a radical life change in me. My primary focus of work is not “working for retirement.” God has given me a much healthier way to think about work. Work is ordained by Him. It is a gift. Today is a gift and is full of opportunities to do WORK that will never be destroyed. Is there any greater success than to share the Gospel with a lost soul and lead them to Christ? My life is a mission—wherever I go—and it is a glorious experience!
When we are born again, we have the opportunity to shine as the light of the world in a world full of lost and dying souls. Jesus came to rescue them ALL. We are His messengers. We are His warriors of love and truth. We are on a mission to save the world from hell.
We were created for God’s glory and to work the marvelous works He has planned for us—are you in???
We would love to hear your thoughts about this devotional. Did God speak to you or challenge your daily walk with him? Or is there a topic that you would like Kimberly to cover or expound on? Please share with us in the comments below.
To learn more about Kimberly Faith and the mission of Faith Strong, click HERE.
Out Now – Essential Faith, Volume II. Find it on Amazon by clicking HERE.
To learn more about Kimberly Faith’s ministry Fostering By Faith, click HERE.
One Response
I am all in for the plan of God.