September 3 & 10, 2023 – Reflection
September 3 and September 10 , 2023 – Reflection by Fr. Adam Laski
“Whatever your task, work heartily, as serving the Lord and not men.” Collosians 3:23 RSVCE
Labor is a work for God rather than for men. We might look at each day as a list of things we must accomplish and get done. It is a struggle to see what we are doing as the work for God. It often appears like it’s just about what we can get done and what we can accomplish.
Labor apart from God, may have its earthly effects, but we may not be aware of its spiritual importance. We may just think of work as something other than family or church things; But work is a Godly thing.
From the beginning of creation, the action of God creating the heavens and the earth is described as work, something after which God takes rest “On the seventh day God completed the work he had been doing; he rested on the seventh day from all the work he had undertaken.” (Gen. 2:2). Work is blessed by God, as taking a part in his ordering of creation.
What are some problems with seeing work as holy? You might see work as a hurdle to get around, but if we all embrace work as the cross God has given us to carry, it can make your work more spiritually fruitful. Sometimes we get caught up in work and our workload can feel like too much. If you ask God to make it fruitful but yet you are unable to finish the project you have the opportunity to grow in humility by recognizing you cannot get it done. Sometimes we need to take on more work or responsibility because we underutilize the talents God gave us, for the purpose he has put us here for. With a greater awareness of God’s presence in work it can make you holier and lead you to a deeper sense of God’s presence. ~ Fr. Adam Laski