Join the Team • Devotion #2: Laziness is Overrated
Pastor Noble Baird
“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” Colossians 3:23-24
Who are you working for? This may seem like a trivial and simple question. However, I want to take a look at Colossians 3:23-24, then as ourselves that question again. Paul writes in Colossians 3:23-24, “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” 2020 was a radical year for our world to say the least. I can remember clearly, the day Michigan was given the order to shut down schools and limit gatherings on March 13, 2020. It was a very confusing, scary, and concerning day. Yet, the Lord provided, and here we are in 2023 on the other side of that day.
I know that there are a lot of mixed feelings that can come up and be rushing around when we talk about that day and the days, weeks, and months that followed. However, one thing that was developed and produced out of that was laziness. It is laziness in our marriages, school, work, church, fitness, and relationships. Every company shifted to more readily available content at our leisure and fingertips. Whether it was working from home, having food delivered to your home, or watching church online, laziness began to creep in and it honestly even took place in my own life!
Sadly, this mentality and comfortability of laziness still have ramifications to this day. In churches all across the nation, we have seen a huge decline in not only physical attendance but also serving. Serving and the urgency to serve together have gone to the wayside in our walks with the Lord. However, Paul challenges this notion of laziness here in Colossians 3:23-24. He reminds us that in all we do (in our marriages, work, school, relationships, life goals, and church) we are to serve no one except Him.
I want to ask you again, who are you working for? Are you working for yourself, a teacher, a boss, a paycheck, or a spouse? Ultimately, we are called to work heartily for no one and nothing else except the Lord. The goal is that in all we do we are glorifying Him and giving Him our absolute best. I truly believe with this mindset and reminder, today we can attack those moments and roots of laziness and turn back to serving, working, and glorifying an audience of One!