And without faith it is impossible to please God because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. Hebrews 11-6 NIV
Have you ever known people who work only to collect a paycheck? They receive no fulfillment from their job and do the bare minimum required. In my day, these were the folks always hanging around the water cooler/coffee machine or leaning on the sales counter chatting with coworkers–the modern equivalent is the cell phone. (I once had a boss who said, “If you have time to lean, you have time to clean.”) Yet, others have a desire to do their best. They believe in what they are doing–even if it’s a menial task–they bring their “A game.” The difference between these two is often their mental attitude.
Today’s verse is about spiritual attitude, and that begins with faith. Faith is essential; the writer doesn’t say it is difficult but “impossible to please God” without it. In the simplest terms, faith is believing that God exists. We know in our souls that he is more than a myth, a fanciful ideal of yore perpetrated by superstitious people, but he is our living Triune God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, the Alpha and Omega. As Creator, all things came into being through his spoken word; he has our Saviour (Redeemer) coming in the human form of Jesus Christ, and he lives with us through the Holy Spirit. Though we don’t understand His hows and whys, we believe and trust that all things work together for good.
As we go about our daily tasks, yes, even the menial ones, we go with this knowledge of God. What we do, we do with the attitude of godliness. Paul writes in his letter to the Colossians, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” (3:23-34) We work for more than a paycheck; we bring our “A game” not because we seek personal gain but because we are His disciples sent into the world, and we desire others to see God at work in us. We may recognize earthly rewards; if so, that’s great, but what we are guaranteed is a soul reward. That feeling of fulfillment received in knowing we are doing God’s will.
Father God, we believe in you. We believe that you created our world, speaking into being everything in it. We believe in sending your only Son, Jesus Christ; you came to bring healing to our sickened souls. We believe you are with us still in the Holy Spirit, leading and guiding us unto the right paths. You are our Lord, and we are your servants, your disciples sent into the world to share the good news. Help us as we go about our tasks today to bring our “A game,” sharing our joyful enthusiasm for you. Amen.
Blessings,
Pastor Tim
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