I have to wash the dishes this morning. Last night we ate fresh bread with butter, roasted chicken and vegetables, and after dinner there was some snacking that included swiss cheese, spicy pepper jelly, and somehow, even freshly baked cookies were made and consumed. All of this normal-evening-at-home revelry makes a mess. There are so many little water cups in my sink. The roasting pan might not even be soaking yet. And I wash dishes by hand, so I’m going to have to really get in there and get the job done.
But I feel like I’d rather do something else this morning. I feel like I’m called to read my book about walnut trees and drink coffee. Once I’ve had my coffee, I feel like I’m actually called to write my own book about trees (Oh my goodness, can you believe how the walnut flowers form in the spring!). But really, what I’m actually called to right now is to wash those dishes. So if I’m longing for a higher calling than that, then I should aim to wash those dishes cheerfully.
Now there’s a high calling: do the work that is set before you, no matter what it may be, with a cheerful heart. Paul wasn’t joking when he wrote, “Whatever you do, do it from the heart, as something done for the Lord” (Colossians 3:23). In other words, we are to do even our most mundane tasks for the Lord. Martin Luther King Jr. famously and beautifully said, “If a man is called to be a street sweeper, he should sweep streets even as Michelangelo painted, or Beethoven composed music, or Shakespeare wrote poetry. He should sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will pause to say, ‘Here lived a great street sweeper who did his job well.’”
We are called to cheerfully work as unto the Lord, even if we are dealing with drudgery or severe oppression from every standpoint. In this, we experience the highest and most difficult human act, that of humility in all our work and relationships. We also learn how to love the Lord with our entire being—heart, soul, and strength—submitting our will to His in all circumstances (Deuteronomy 6:4–5).
Why? Our reward isn’t the applause of men or the accumulation of riches (even from the hypothetical publication of a thrilling tome on walnut leaves). Our reward and inheritance is from the Lord. We serve Christ, and what an honor that is to serve the one who knelt and washed the filthy feet of His slow-to-listen, little-in-faith, betraying disciples (John 13:1–17). We are to serve in the same way He bore the cross for us. His humility is our example. He teaches us by example. May we learn “to act justly, to love faithfulness, and to walk humbly with [our] God” (Micah 6:8).
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49 thoughts on "Christian Living"
I’m really struggling win anxiety, discontentment, and a challenging life transition this week. This was exactly what I needed to read today. Thank you Lord!
There is nothing better than serving the Lord. Everything we do, even mundane things, do this. I will do my best to be reminded of this when I am faced with tasks that I’d rather not do (I’m looking at you, laundry folding).
YOU SERVE THE LORD CHRIST
is there anything else we really need to remember? I’m a day behind in the reading so also a day behind in the comments but trusting that someone sees this today. Praying for your husband Rhonda J and everyone in the path of Milton.
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Prayers for all of you in the path of Milton and for those still trying to recover from Helene all across the south. I too have family and friends in the path of this one.
Praying, Donna! ❤❤
Praying with you.. Donna..❤
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Mari, I felt the words to ‘fall’s into His arms and rest.. I can’t imagine anything more loving and just amazing as to fall into the Lord arms.. My dear, rest in Him in this break..❤
All I can say today is I’m praying for Florida. I have an aunt, several cousins and their families, friends from here who have homes down there, my daughter’s in-laws and family…. many of my friends have relatives in Florida. GOD BE MERCIFUL and please save Florida!!!
Amen! I, too, am praying! ❤❤
Adding my prayer to yours Kris.. For where two or more are gathered… He and only He has the power to be merciful..
Sending love from my neck of the woods..❤
I have a friend whose daughter works in Florida and she can’t evacuate because she is part of the disaster response team. This time a year ago, she was in Jerusalem hiding in a bomb shelter as the war began, trying not to let her mom know she was even in danger because tomorrow is my friend’s birthday. Two birthdays in a row of scary, world-news headlines situations with her daughter. Please pray for safety for the daughter Alise and peace for the mom, Angel as she celebrates another birthday tomorrow.
Praying for Alise and Angel ❤️
Oh, how weird! Praying for Alise’s safety and for Angel to have peace in her heart over Alise and feel mightily blessed on her birthday.
Prayers!
Praying with you Margaret for Alise and Angel Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers..❤
Going to yesterday’s post to read comments. As mentioned I’m on Fall break and slept in till 7:00AM (PST)
Enjoy your Fall break, dear Mari ❤️
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Mari, I felt the words to ‘fall’s into His arms and rest.. I can’t imagine anything more loving and just amazing as to fall into the Lord arms.. My dear, rest in Him in this break..❤
There was a poem in the hospital where Tanner was diagnosed when he was 14 months old. It was an angel asking God why he’d give a particular mom a sick child. The angel goes onto describe her, happy, patient, etc. God said because she will need all these traits to handle it well. It helped me believe it or not. I felt chosen to have this child. That I could handle it. I didn’t always do it well, but for the most part God gave me the strength, perseverance, and courage to take care of my son. I was blessed with a relationship that could not have been more life changing except for the one I have with God.
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Love that! You were chosen! And a wonderful, beautiful, loving mother! It would be hard not to focus on the negative of what could be, but I love that you always put forth the loving memories of Tanner! I don’t know that I could do that. You are a testimony for sure!Thank you! I still believe God will use you for that platform for grieving mothers!
Rhonda I was just praying for everyone in Florida. I hope you stay safe!
Thank you for the kind words. I definitely have a heart for moms that are going through the pain of losing a child.
I love your heart Traci. I have admired the way you handled the last few years of Tanner’s life and through his home-going to Heaven. You are so strong. Your post today just emphasizes that. My grandson is autistic and I have told my daughter many times that God chose her to be Corbin’s mom because He knew she would be so good at it. She is now working in his school as a Para Professional working with other children just like Corbin. She is amazing and God continues to bless her. Traci I hope you continue to share your stories about Tanner. God chose you to be his mom. You are one of the strongest people I know. God Bless You! ❤️
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Traci, you truly were chosen to be Tanners mum, only you, could have the wonderful memories of the joy Tanner brought to you and all around!
Sending you much love, Traci.., always covered in hugs..❤️
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Traci, thank you for the reminder. My daughter was born with a congenital heart defect that required open heart surgery. She has a slew of other illnesses as well. Sometimes the days feel heavy and then I am briskly reminded that God called me to be her mama. To help her but also help me.
Sophie as hard as it is to have a child with a disease/illness/disability, we are called to be their moms. We all have bad days, but I do feel that I we are blessed as well. Believe me when I say I had some awfully heavy difficult days. It is not an easy road. Love to you
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Morning shes, missed you today but glad all our early riser shes had gathered on yesterday’s. I loved these insights from HRT, “Ultimately, everything we do is for God, not other people. Not even for ourselves”, “But we can’t do this in our own strength; we need God, who is love, to work in us and through us to love and honor others in His name”. These stood out to me as key points. Serve unto God, and serve by His Strength. I looked up the word “patience”: the capacity to accept or tolerate delay, trouble, or suffering without getting angry or upset. Tolerate without getting upset, this has to be His strength lol. I am holding my breath watching the path of Milton. RHONDA dear, I am holding you close, prayers for healing over your husband’s back, and may you and hubby, puppy be safe, 4 feet of water to expect, that is a lot. Lord have mercy. Praying this promise over you “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior” Isaiah 43:2.
Thank you friend! Appreciate YOU! And I know God is hearing all the prayers for angels to surround us in this storm! I saw that when praying.
Also..I read this “Tolerate without getting upset, this has to be His strength ,” as you talked about patience, and saw my name and thought you were calling me out with patience with my husband!!! lol Which, I should be called out on!! Letting the HS convict him, and me to be patient anin love!
Oh no lol. That’s funny how that verse got you where it should. I was thinking about my workplace politics and how I need to tolerate without getting upset. You are one of the bravest and cheerful persons I know, even before the big storm. Hugs.
Happy Tuesday She’s! Looks like Gwineth52 and I are are the only ones commenting so far and its 8:00am where I live in California! Rebecca talks about a “cheerful heart” this morning while I’m looking at my room and feeling SO proud I took the time yesterday to clean the BIG window and screens. BUT the blinds…..oh…those blinds are next. BUT GOD….yes my Jesus will give me strength as not only do I need to clean the blinds but straighten out my room that is also a storage room per say. ALL that to say I will be asking my two kiddos to concise their belongs (and my mom’s) as I get this room “ready” for my sister Patty’s surprise visit for Thanksgiving! Shh….she’s going to surprise my mom! I’m so excited for her visit! She’s next in line in birth order and LOVES Jesus!!! I call on her often to chat and and pray. Please pray as she lives in Florida where Milton is suppose to hit. I texted her and sent our sweet Rhonda a dm and haven’t heard back.
Hi Sweet Mari V! I am here! We all posted on yesterday’s while we waited for SRT to post’s today’s reading! :)
I am remaining calm, we have picked up everything on our lower level preparing for 4 ft of water, could be much more, but that’s all we can do and put the shudders on! People asked why I would want to move where there are hurricanes, and I said, you just can’t hold too tightly to “things.” We moved here 5 years ago this month, and Ian definitely left an impact of how quickly our houses (and an island) can be destroyed. But we also saw the church, God’s people get right out there and pray and help with those who needed. It is something so valuable, that makes me want to stay right where I am, to help. (I know, can’t help if I am buried in rubble, :)) I used to tell my dad all the time-But God gave you a brain to use!!) We will go to a higher area tomorrow morning. Praying over my house and neighbors to be safe.
One prayer request–My husband pulled his back yesterday from lifting all the stuff, and now can barely move. Yet he is out there doing for others to prepare. Can you pray his back is healed! At least he is not going to go in and work through the hurricane like he had planned! That is good he will be with us now (pupperoo and me!)
—smiling through the Milton!
I love this devotional helps us with caring for others to remember with Christ, all things in love and in the mundane duties, do as undo the Lord!
Praying for you sweet Rhonda and for your husband’s back.
Rhonda J keeping you in prayer and all others in Milton’s path. My 91yo MIL is not evacuating from Sarasota and my and I are worried for her. She was playing bridge yesterday when we called to see when she was leaving. She said she was fine!! We can only do so much but the best thing we can do is leave to the Lord for ! Stay safe all and stay safe inbrhe is
Praying for you Rhonda and your husband’s back. I just said to my husband this morning I don’t think there is enough wonderful things about Florida that would want to make me live there! But everyone that lives there says that’s there home. I do live in Alaska and lots of outsiders say the same thing to me in the heavy snow winters :). Praying for you and your husband and doggie. Also praying that God will move that storm back into the ocean!! I reminded Him this morning that he calmed the waters and all he has to say is “Peace be still!”. Love you!
Thank you Catherine! And your right, you couldn’t pay me to live in Alaska!! I thought Chicago was cold and too much snow! I love Florida, especially the west gulf! I’m glad we all love different climates, but one thing is for sure- God makes beauty everywhere!
Talk about extremes! Sheesh! Dog sleds to skis. I am too old for either. lol
Well, not skis maybe. Fill in the blank for Florida! :)
Keeping you and all the people in Milton’s path in my prayers today. God has the power to stop the wind, that’s the kind of God we serve. He also gives us the opportunity to show His love to others when disaster strikes. He is using you in a mighty way in Florida, He will give you the strength to not only stand in the face of this storm but also the strength to pour into others in the aftermath. Stay strong in His mighty power.
Yes, Amen Arlene! I receive that thank you!
Hello Shes
It appears I am first, or among the first, to arrive this morning!?
As I read the devotional I felt guilt falling upon me. For the occasions I did the “BMW” (bitch, moan, whine) about things placed before me to do.
Especially for my mother in her last year. How uncaring & selfish of me. Regarding the woman who gave me life!
I ask God for forgiveness of my foolishness. And give me grace to seek to do better, now seeing clearer & knowing better. Help me in all ways, my Lord, to truly open my heart to the needs of others. And, yes, responding to their wants & desires too as I am able. To seek them out & to serve with a humble heart.
As Christ is my witness, my strength, my power.
I thought the same thing. I came here about 30 minutes ago and saw no comments, but of course I always read the scriptures and devo first. Glad I did because here YOU are Gwineth52! Good morning!! Thinking there may be a glitch, but that’s OK because here we are. Is it ok to ask if your’re here in California as I am.
They didn’t put “today’s” up until recently! So most morning people are on yesterday’s even though reading today’s scripture!!
Thank you Chris, so true, how we don’t realize things until we do! lol. I think that’s why reading the word really does apply to all things, and the Lord takes the scales off little by little!! Thank you Lord. But it takes our effort and desire…the passion grows though easily as you keep getting closer and closer to the Lord. It is not an emotion anymore, it’s an understanding no matter the circumstances!! Praise God!!! Thank you for praying for Florida!