“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ” — Colossians 3:23-24
Putting in the Work
I was never a phenomenal baseball player, but somehow, I made the team in high school. The coach pulled me aside and let me know that he was going to give me a slot on the varsity team, but that I shouldn’t expect to play much. My role quickly became charting pitches in the dugout, with an occasional opportunity to pinch run or bunt. I was disappointed and embarrassed, but I decided early on that I would try to keep a positive attitude and do my best at whatever the coach asked of me. I ran hard at practice. I tried to be the best bunter on the team.
The coach was true to his word; I spent much of my time on the bench. At the end of the season, my number was called in an important game against a county rival. We were down by a run. A teammate got on base, and the coach directed me to first base to pinch run. Shockingly, the coach gave me the steal sign from his position on the third base line. “That can’t be right,” I thought to myself. So I didn’t run.
Before the next pitch, he angrily and more deliberately gave me the same set of signs. The pitcher lifted his leg to go to the plate and I took off, sliding into second base just ahead of the tag. The batter got a hit, and I scored from second to tie the game (which we eventually won). I don’t remember much about that season, but I remember that moment — the moment I was called into the game.
The Apostle Paul, as he wrote in Colossians, encourages us to live a life set apart. As followers of Christ, we should look different from the world around us. Often, how we respond to difficult circumstances will reveal our character. Our focus should be on Jesus; how we work, act and live should bring Him glory, not ourselves or other people.
Do you feel overlooked on the job? Work for Jesus, not for man. Do you feel mistreated? Work to honor Jesus, not your boss. God has given us each special gifts and abilities, and He’s designed us to use them to serve His kingdom. God has called us into the game. Are you ready to give it your all?
— Brent Rinehart
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