My Real Boss

I was a little bored with the first two days of week three, but Beth is starting to "hit it home" in day three. I loved her reflections on surrendering our work to God. I had to get a little giggle out of it too. Is it that the Bible studies hit home with what is happening in our lives, or does God's word just apply to whatever situation we're in? Of course, His word does apply to everything, but every time I do a study, it sure seems to apply to something that is going on in my life, and that I can learn a lesson from.

I love what the Bible says about our jobs. Here's Colossians 3:23-24 from the Amplified version:

Whatever may be your task, work at it heartily (from the soul) as [something done] for the Lord and not for men. Knowing [with all certainty] that it is from the Lord [and not from men] that you will receive the inheritance which is your [real] reward. [the one whom] you are actually serving [is] the Lord Christ (the Messiah).

I love this. If we're cleaning toilets, doing laundry, answering the phone, working in a factory line or a white collar position. If we love our jobs, if we hate our jobs--if we love our bosses, if we hate our bosses - no matter - our real boss is the Lord,and He's the one who loves and rewards us. Seems like this sure should make us want to jump out of bed in the morning , doesn't it!

I can testify to this in a small way. There are so many days I say, Lord, I'm just not smart enough for this job - give me Your wisdom. Or Lord, I'm not patient enough for this job - give me Your patience, Lord, I'm too tired to do this job today, give me Your energy. You know what, He has always been faithful. He's answered those prayers. I think sometimes we forget, we just have to ask. He is always ready to help.

Week Two

I'm looking forward to learning to love Jesus more, and to make Him my one and only during this study. It's going to be fun to get deeper into the study as we move forward--it feels good to be moving through the introductory lessons and towards a deeper understanding of the message God has for us.

I really liked page 34 of the study, where we go into some of the New Testament verses. I particularly liked Colossians 2:11-15 where the scripture speaks to our spiritual circumcision. I'm not sure that I thought very deeply about just what this means prior to this study. I was inspired to go to the commentaries (blueletterbible.com) where David Guzik emphasizes:

Before a person comes to life in Jesus they are dead. They are not sick people who need a doctor, they are dead people who need a Savior."

". . . a trespass is overstepping a boundary . . . we overstep God's boundaries in sin and rebellion"

. . . our trespasses have been nailed to the cross. We get in trouble when we take it down and carry it around with us"

Amen to that - I have to learn to leave my trespasses on the cross where they have been paid for for all time.

In this crazy world, where it seems that I, at least, am spinning in circles and accomplishing nothing much but the frustrating feeling that I'm not accomplishing much, it is so good to slow down and see how God has really planned a better life for me. It's a life that I want to be "good medicine" (Proverbs 17:22, pg. 44). I want a "cheerful mind that works healing"on those people that are in that crazy spinning circle with me.

One of the best things about Bible study is the way that we all learn from each other. It so cheers me to be with other women who love Jesus, and desire to give their lives for Him.

At some point in this week's lessons, Beth says, "fathom the unfathomable". It is hard to get our minds and hearts around just how much God loves us. I wonder what He will reveal to us during this course of study?