Not everyone loves their job; in fact, some people may hate their job. I have usually loved my job throughout the years, but I admit a sense of wandering about work. I mean that my mind wanders. I often think about what it would be like to have a different job or even a different career. I suspect this is a common sentiment — even for those who love their job: to imagine the options. I recently found motivation though.

Titus 3:1 — Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work.

Paul gives us three things in this short verse to be aware of and these map easily and adequately to our place of employment. First, we are to be submissive to rulers and authorities. Regardless of who you work for, of who you vote for, of who you report to — these people are your rulers and authorities. If you believe in a sovereign God, and I would highly recommend that, then you must acknowledge that God has put these people in your life. Your duty is to submit to their authority. We could go into great detail about what that means, but we should at the very least respect those above us.

Second, Paul tells us to be obedient. This, obviously, goes hand in hand with respecting and submitting to authority. But, as my kids could tell you, it is a distinct process. It may be possible to respect someone and disobey them. Or to obey them disrespectfully. The point is simply that a facet of submission to authority is obedience. I struggle some times with the things I am told to do at work. They are not immoral things, but they are illogical. They do not make sense to me. Yet it is my duty to respectfully raise my objection and then do what I am told.

Third, Paul tells us to be ready for every good work. By “work” here, he is not referring to our jobs, but we can apply this to our jobs. He goes on to explain further:

Titus 3:2 — to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.

This is hard stuff. Imagine a day of work where you obey that phrase all day long. I simply like the idea that we are to be ready for good work. We are to be prepared — to anticipate this goodness. It seems to me that if we are prepared, on a daily basis, to leak this goodness all over others, we will enjoy a much richer day. Why should we?

Titus 3:3-7 — For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to His own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by His grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

So, my friends, prepare yourselves! Be ready for every good work. Enjoy your jobs and the opportunity God has given you to influence others. Who knows? You just might become an enjoyable person.

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This entry was posted by zac on Thursday, February 28th, 2008 at 8:22 am and is filed under Weekly Jib Jab. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.