Why Do You Do What You Do?

We are almost a month into 2014.  Can you believe that January is almost gone?  This past month on another blog of mine, I have been completing a series on blogging and it’s hard to believe how this month has flown.  Blogging is actually kind of a left-field topic for my typically homeschool and homemaking blog, but I shared it nevertheless because it has to do with some of my personal goals for 2014–to better train myself in the areas God has placed me in so that I can better serve Him in all I do.  Blogging is just the first on the list of twelve areas of my life that I hope to get a better grasp on in 2014 for His glory.

So what does this whole series on blogging have to do with you, especially if you are NOT a blogger?  Well, a lot.  Let me put it to you this way:

Why do you do what you do?

Why are you a wife…mom…co-worker…homemaker…you name it?  Why do you do what you do?  Is it because you feel pressured?  Because you know you should?  Because it feels good? Because you feel loved?  Because it helps you get by?  Why?

And while you are thinking about those questions, let me ask you one more:

Whatever you do, do you do it to the best of your ability for the glory of God?

I’ve been reading a lot in the Bible lately about how being a follower of Christ should change you and make you different.  I know, I know–I’ve heard that cliche many times before as well, but for some reason this read through of the New Testament has really caused me to examine my own life and take what I am learning more to heart.  I mean all throughout the New Testament we are called to reach the lost, care for the poor, orphaned and widowed, and show the love of Jesus to everyone around us.  Yet how many of us on a regular basis really do those things?

In addition, often in scripture you will find instances where individuals step aside from their work to become better trained in their skills to serve the Lord.  Take King David for instance. He trained himself to be a better soldier so that he could better fight the Lord’s battles (see Psalm 144:1).   Or Paul.  Paul immediately withdrew himself to Arabia after his conversion to most likely train himself and prepare himself for his missionary journeys ahead (see Galatians 1:15-17).  

Even the words in the book of James support this concept of training and doing all for the glory of God.  I often summarize James’ proverbial book with the short phrase, “Believe it. Live it.  Be it.”  Meaning–James was so intent that as Christians we should be so changed as followers of Christ that we are living it out everyday in all we do and doing what we do to the best of our ability so that others see Jesus in us.  Take a look at the following verse:

“And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.”  Colossians 3:23 (KJV)

Of all the meat found in that verse, there is one word that pops out at me nearly every time–heartily.  “Do it heartily.”  Try putting a few other synonyms in there and maybe you will begin to see what I mean…sincerely, genuinely, completely, exuberantly, thoroughly….  I don’t know about you but to me that sounds like if you really want to do what you do for the Lord, you will give it all you’ve got to be the best you can be for Him.

So let me ask you again, why do you do what you do?  And, do you do what you do to the best of your ability for the glory of God?  If your answer is no or sort of, then maybe you too, like myself, could use a little training in certain areas of your life this year so that you could better glorify God in all you do, be it spiritual training (like Paul) or physical training (like David).  You may need to find a mentor, read a book, listen to a podcast or just get alone in the Word.  However you choose, I encourage you to make a goal  in 2014 to find ways to become better at what you do, whatever it is, to further bring God the glory.

I also encourage you to share your spiritual and mental goals for the year in the comments below so as to encourage others in the Managing Your Blessings community to find ways to become better trained in our roles for God’s glory.

What ARE your spiritual or mental goals for the year?  How do you plan on better equipping yourself for the roles God has assigned you?

I can’t wait to hear how you are working “heartily for the Lord!”  Together may we make 2014 a year of change for HIS GLORY!

Kathy@CornerstoneConfessions.Com