How God's Word impacts your work
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"The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory,
the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth."
—John 1:14
What does God's Word have to do with our work today?
This was once more of a rhetorical question for me because I didn't see the relevance of such an ancient book to the modern-day issues of my work. After all, times have changed dramatically from when these writings were first penned.
Yet the more I study God's Word, the more relevant I discover all of it is to all of our modern-day concerns, including work. Not only is it relevant, God's Word is the most powerful tool for navigating the chaos and uncertainty we face today.
It took some time and serious study, but over the last 13 years I can honestly say I have fallen in love with God's Word—especially as I realized Jesus is the Word made flesh. When we spend time in God's Word, we aren't simply reading another book. We are spending quality time with our Lord and Savior.
We are gaining insight into who Jesus is, His character and His promises to us. And we are learning directly from Jesus how we are to approach our work, solve problems, engage with people, and achieve true and lasting success.
Scripture provides wisdom, direction, hope and help for every situation we face to guide us in the direction of God's will so that the work we do each day has purpose, meaning and can make a lasting impact. Here are just a few verses that show us how to approach work.
- "Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well" (Matthew 6:33).
- "I (Jesus) am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing" (John 15:5).
- "We are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works which God prepared in advance for us to do" (Ephesians 2:10).
- "Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain" (Psalm 127:1).
- "We can make plans, but the Lord establishes our steps" (Proverbs 16:9).
- "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will" (Romans 12:2).
When I seek God first in each project I undertake and each problem I need to solve, He provides insight I could not have come to on my own. God provides resources I didn't know I needed. He opens doors I didn't know were there.
How do you get started? Here are a few ideas.
Read through a book of the Bible. During this season, you may want to go through the Book of Luke. Take your time and journal what God reveals to you through the stories.
Choose meaningful verses. Do a Google search for verses from scripture that pertain to a specific challenge or goal you have. Choose several that resonate with you and pray them over yourself every day for at least a month.
Study an Overview of the Bible. Find a study that helps you see how all the books of the Bible fit together and go through it with a friend. (40 Days Through the Bibleby Lysa Terkeurst and Proverbs 31 or Seamless by Angie Smith, for example.)
Hebrews 4:12 tells us, "For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."
God's Word has power. His wisdom is timeless. It's as applicable to our work today as it was when the words were first spoken and written. Spending time in God's Word is time spent in the very presence of Christ, abiding in Him so He can show us the way—His way—each and every day.
Shared with permission from Women in the Marketplace, a nonprofit marketplace ministry, womeninmarketplace.net.
 | Catherine Gates is a speaker, author and writer. She is Executive Director for Women in the Marketplace, a national non-profit that equips working women to confidently pursue their faith and career for the glory of God. She is the author of The Confidence Cornerstone: A Woman’s Guide to Fearless Leadership. Catherine has contributed to several workplace Bible studies and written over a dozen YouVersion reading plans. She is on the board of Ladies of Grace, a women’s prison ministry. Her passion is to help women reach their full God-given potential. Learn More » |
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