Whatever you do, do it enthusiastically as unto the Lord and not unto men, knowing you will receive a reward from your father in Heaven.

Colossians 3:23

My daughter is in the phase of life where everything is meant to be opened.Cabinets. Drawers. Bags. Possibilities 😂. If it can be grabbed, she’s going exploring.

Last week, her grandfather sent us a big batch of snacks which he tends to do every few months or so and as a family of 6, our pockets and our pantry are extremely appreciative!

One of the snacks he’d purchased was Stellar Pretzel Braids - a huge Lightfoot Smith hit. I’d already taken the liberty to open up a bag and put some pretzels in a ziplock so homegirl could have easy access.

She politely looked at the bag, grabbed it and then put it down and went back into the kitchen.

Less than 3 minutes passed before she came back not just with 1 but with 2 unopened bags of the pretzels, despite the fact that I’d opened one for her already.

As I looked at her I couldn’t help but chuckle because I immediately was able to see how often I approach my relationship with God, my prayer requests and even my level of expectation, the same way my daughter was approaching me.

Let’s break it down, shall we?

Let’s say I’ve asked God to allow me to be financially wealthy.

He says “Bet.” Then, presents me with a business idea or He presents me with an opportunity to work at a very prestigious organization that is well equipped to leverage my unique talents and gifts.

I either build the business or take the job but then notice the business idea is taking a while to get off the ground or feel like the corporate job isn’t providing me with what I deem is the necessary recognition.

So I go back to God and ask Him - “God please help me to be financially wealthy! I don’t want to continue to be in these same situations.”

I operate as if He is suddenly going to put it on someone’s heart to write me a check for $1M and of course I’d give Him all the glory.

But the truth is, when I asked Him the first time, He already set that plan in motion.

Deuteronomy 8:18 says this “But remember the Lord your God! It is he who gives you the power to become rich. He keeps the agreement he promised to your ancestors. So it is today.”

Notice it says He gives you the power, not the riches.

Why is this?

Because God shows throughout scripture that He values work ethic.

Need receipts?

* Colossians 3:23: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters”.

* Ephesians 6:7-8: “Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people”.

* Proverbs 6:6-11: “Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise!”.

* Proverbs 14:23: “All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty”.

* Ecclesiastes 9:10: “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the realm of the dead, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom”.

* 1 Corinthians 10:31: “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God”.

* Genesis 2:15: God placed man in Eden “to work it and take care of it.”

* Proverbs 16:3: “Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans”.

Unfortunately, we can often operate like entitled children, wanting God to give to us what He has already provided!

He takes our gifts (think of them like El’s pretzels), puts them on the inside of us and entrusts us to utilize them. But just like she did we often look at the gifts, consider them for a while then “drop the bag” and go look for something else that feels more exciting.

I want you to hear me when I say this.

Both you and I have an opportunity to treat work as worship.

Not worship the work and assume that the higher paying role, the increased visibility or the sudden windfall is going to be the thing to make the difference.

If you do get a $1M check tomorrow you still must work to steward it. In the same way that if God answers your prayers to get married, have kids, move to another home you’ll have to nurture your relationship with your spouse, raise your children up in the fear and admonition of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4) and you’ll still have to clean your home, tend your garden and make repairs on your home as needed.

It’s so tempting to believe our happiness resides somewhere else, somewhere beyond the place we can reach. But developing this mindset negates our personal responsibility.

No matter what season of life you are in there is work to be done and there’s only so much you can do to avoid it. So instead, of constantly changing direction or getting caught up in shiny object syndrome I want to encourage you to do the last thing God said.

This season isn’t about collecting more information it is allowing all the information you’ve gathered over time to turn into insight and allowing that insight to turn into action.

James 1:22-25 (NLT) says it like this:

“But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.”

Your doing is where the change you’ve been seeking actually lives.

So ask yourself - “What have I missed because I thought it would be packaged differently?”

And if you’re in need of some accountability, drop it in the comments and we can chat more about what you’re seeing!

I’m telling on myself in the comments. So meet me there or beat me there.

Talk to you next week!

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