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Today’s Scripture ~ Colossians 3.22-23 (CEV)
22Slaves, you must always obey your earthly masters. Try to please them at all times, and not just when you think they are watching. Honor the Lord and serve your masters with your whole heart.
23Do your work willingly, as though you were serving the Lord himself, and not just your earthly master.
Wisdom Story
A monk of a monastic order that observed strict silence was allowed to say only two words yearly. The first year he said, “Food bad.” The second year he spoke, “Work hard.” The third year he said, “I quit." His superior replied, "All you do is complain, complain, complain."
Comments
St. Paul addresses slaves, urging them to obey their slave masters. This need not be taken that he was supporting slavery. More likely, he, in pastoral fashion, is instructing Christian slaves in how to live within their social situation as Christians. By such an attitude of graciousness, the slaves will not only make their lives more livable and bring honor to Christ, they will witness powerfully to the Christian spirit and how Christ transforms attitudes and whole persons.
The Colossians passages addresses the spirit of obedience that we are to aim for, even when we are called upon to do things that might not be within our natural likeness.
First, St. Paul speaks of seeking to please the other. So, there need be no sense of contradiction between pleasing God and pleasing another person. For example, when I do not have to and could sleep later, I get up to prepare my wife her morning sandwich and coffee. She does not request I do so. I want to please her, for I love her. I want to please my Bishop in my work as a pastor. I want to please my parishioners by the quality of work I do for the church. There need be no felt contradiction between pleasing others and pleasing Christ, as long as the two truly do not conflict, for as the Scripture speaks, “Honor the Lord and serve your masters with your whole heart.”
Then, St. Paul speaks of diligence of loving service that is faithful when apart from observation. That is, the Christian spirit is to serve wholeheartedly even when what one is doing will not be noticed by another.
Last, the Christian attitude to work is that whatever we do, even when pleasing others or ourselves, ultimately work is as “though you are serving the Lord himself.” In the most menial or disliked tasks, we can do the work as though we are offering it to Christ alone and seeking to please the Divine.
These instructions were meant to encourage the slaves. They can encourage us, also. Every job has aspects we delight in and those we have some distaste for. We may be expected to do things we feel ill equipped for or outside our gifts.
Certainly, we can pray for graciousness to do our best and to admit when we are not very good at doing some things. Likewise, we need graciousness to let others know of our strengths and weaknesses, and we need to permit ourselves to delegate where possible.
Also, we can focus as much as possible on the work that pertains most directly to our sense of divine calling and giftedness. To do this, we might, when possible, decline to do certain things or delegate to other persons. As a pastor I have had to be strong in the midst of many expectations from others that could lead me to lose touch with my particular calling and gifts. Sometimes persons do not understand that one cannot give most to others if he or she is simply placed within an impersonal job description that does not take account of his or her particular gifts and graces.
So, while graciously following the instructions of St. Paul on the Christian attitude toward work and service under others, such should not be pressed to the extremes of justifying denying your giftedness and how you can best serve. Why be investing much time doing what others can do, when what you can best offer is not being done? Is such negligence in the claim of the spirit of obedience the will of Christ? I think not.
Reflection
Is there some area of your work you need to accept doing graciously, even though it is not something you prefer doing? Is there some area of your work that you need to inform others you cannot do and remain true to your calling? What does it mean to you to do your work as to Christ? How might that change your feelings about your work? What are we to do when called upon to perform a work that we cannot reconcile to our calling to honor Christ?
Spiritual Exercise
Write a prayer consecrating your work to Christ. Include what elements (i.e., thanksgiving, prayer for guidance, strength …) you feel you need to include.
Brian is available to respond to requests pertaining to seeking a Spiritual Director, his speaking, doing classes, workshops, or retreats for churches or other spiritual groups. He will inform regarding how to receive his other writings or offer replies to comments or questions.
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*Brian K. Wilcox lives with his wife, Rocio, and their two dogs, St. Francis and Bandit Ty, in Clearwater and Punta Gorda, Florida. He is a United Methodist pastor and vowed member of Greenbough House of Prayer, a contemplative Christian community in Georgia. His passion is living a contemplative life and inspiring others to experience a deeper relationship with Christ through contemplative prayer and living.
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