A few weeks ago, I read Apostle Paul’s letter to the church in Colossae. In his letter, he encouraged them to follow the true doctrine of Christianity and he provided practical instructions to guide them in their day-to-day living and growth in the faith.

I have read the book of Colossians in the past but this time, some of his words in the third chapter caught my attention. He spoke to husbands, wives and children about their duties and responsibilities as they relate to one another in the home, then he spoke to the ‘servants’,

“Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything you do. Try to please them all the time, not just when they are watching you. Serve them sincerely because of your reverent fear of the Lord. Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.”

These words caught my attention for a few minutes and as I meditated on them, these thoughts came to my mind:

When I accept a responsibility, a duty or an assignment in any place from any one, I have become a ‘servant’ and I am required by God to serve effectively, sincerely and willingly in that position because of my fear for Him, knowing that the service is to Him and not to the individual who has assigned that role to me.

Now, if this is God’s expectation from me, why do I have those moments when I work grudgingly? Why am I not always willing to do the work assigned to me? Why do I complain sometimes? Why do I behave like one who is being cajoled or forced to do the job? Why? Do I no longer fear God or am I just being human?

I thought deeply about a few scenarios where I have displayed a not-so-good attitude to some of my responsibilities in my home, in the lives of my family members and friends, in my local church, on my job and everywhere else and I realized a few truths about those moments:

• Though my spirit was willing, my mind was overwhelmed and my body stressed out. There was so much calling for my attention at the same time and all I needed was a break from all the activities around me so that I could rest, relax and recover. It is good for the body, mind and spirit to work together if I truly desire to serve willingly. That’s why companies offer paid vacations to their employees, right? I guess so.

• I had taken up more than what I had the capacity to do and when the work became too much for me to handle, I started to complain. I know that God has given me grace; however, that grace is only available for me to do the things he has assigned me to do. Any other self-imposed responsibility will not be covered by that grace. At that time, all I needed to do was to slow down, identify and become familiar with my areas of strength and focus on them. I cannot be everywhere at the same time. I cannot be all things to all people! Selah!

• I felt unappreciated. Instead of receiving commendations for the many things I did right, I was constantly scolded, rebuked or reminded of the few things I didn’t do right so I stopped trying. I wasn’t bothered if the job was well done or not. Why should I, anyway? The humans I worked for didn’t deserve it. I drank from the well of negativity so much that I completely forgot that God’s voice of approval and appreciation for me trumps every other voice. I should have focused on this liberating truth! I know better now.

• I was just lazy! I knew what to do but I just didn’t feel I should push myself to get it done. Laziness is evil, trust me! It takes away beautiful lifetime opportunities from you and makes you feel less than who you really are. Laziness is ungodly. God himself worked, Jesus and His disciples worked too. Being lazy is not part of the fruit of the spirit of God!

What about you? Does this sound familiar to you?

What is your attitude towards the responsibilities, duties and assignments that God has placed in your care?

Are you working willingly or are your trudging grudgingly?

Are you doing the work with all your heart or are you constantly complaining?

Are you overwhelmed or just lazy?

Have you taken up more than you should or do you feel unappreciated?

Have you lost the fear of God completely?

Pause for a moment and think about these things so that you can figure out where you stand and how you can find your way back to serving God, not just the religious way but the right way, bearing in mind that,

“The Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward…”,

remembering also, that,

“You will be paid back for the wrong you have done; for God has no favorites.”

Child of God, wherever you are, know that you are called to serve. Just do it right, knowing that the Master you are serving is Christ.