by Elizabeth Haarberg

Finding contentment in doing things God’s way.

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

Part 2

“For the rest, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them].”
Philippians 4:8 AMPC

This is the follow up to a previously published blog.

So, how do we merge work and spiritual life?

The verse above touches on truth, reverence, honor, purity, love, kindness, graciousness, virtue, excellence, and praise. The instructions on how to remove the dichotomy of work and spiritual living is taking these virtues and applying them to our work life. Becoming those virtues from the inside out is how we stay in rhythm and context with God.

“Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates [of the city]!”
Proverbs 31:31 AMPC

When we let God transform us from the inside out, the fruit is evident. Our work will reveal the Holy Spirit in us.

Because of the Holy Spirit, we have dual-citizenship; citizenship on earth and heaven. We can display God through our work as He transforms us in all aspects of life.

If this seems vague, it is. I’m still working through these concepts and becoming more consistent as God corrects and rearranges old ideas and assumptions.

As I write this proposal, the foreign and intimidating idea starts to transform into something more applicable.

Surrendering my idea of work and receiving God’s plan in lieu of my own will take some time.

God has already adjusted some of my ideas about work such as selfish-ambition and striving, but I still deal with fear of failure and fear of letting someone down. It really is a process and not always a fun one.

As I’ve worked through the assumptions and learned behavior the world has taught about work, those issues are being ripped out. The pain of separating ourselves from the world is not always easy. Contentment in the way we’ve always known something is hard to shift away from. But in its place is peace and greater success, not by the world’s standards but by heavenly standards.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado