My Monday Morning Cup | Are You Starting a NEW Job Today?

The economic shutdown from the COVID (how they say it down here) resulted in tens of millions of people losing their job just like the man we highlighted in one of last week‘s posts. In recent weeks, companies are rehiring. Some, like grocery stores and delivery services, experienced a business upturn and as a result have been hiring as quickly as candidates can apply. Maybe you’re one of those starting a new job this Monday morning.

Losing a job certainly creates a huge amount of stress. That said, starting a new job can be stressful in its own right. Work is a wonderful thing. It gives us a sense of purpose, an opportunity to make a difference, and the ability to provide for ourselves and those we love. Scripture has a lot to say about the importance and value of work.

From my study of God’s word, I gather that the Lord values an honest day’s labor and that when we work diligently and get things done with excellence we are honoring God. Work is something that God instituted in the very beginning, even before the Fall, back when He first placed Adam in the Garden.

The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it.
Genesis 2:15 (ESV)

God immediately gave the man (Adam) an instruction and a job to do. The instruction is found in Genesis 2:16-17:

And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”
Genesis 2:16-17 (ESV)

We discover the job God gave Adam to do is seen in the verses that follow explaining that the Lord recognized it was not good for the man to be alone. The Lord determined He would create “a helper fit for him.” (Genesis 2:18) As the Lord formed beasts and birds, He brought them to the man (Adam) to name them. So, Adam’s first job was to name the animals God created.

If you’re starting a new job today, your boss will likely set some expectations. Your boss will lay out some do’s and don’ts, like God did when He commanded Adam not to eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Your boss will also give you a specific job to do, just like the Lord tasked Adam with naming the animals He created.

We can see God’s intent for us to work and how He delights in our work. Did you notice that God had the best interest of Adam in mind and that He collaborated with him? Hopefully, this will be true about the new job you’re starting today, too.

Keeping a right perspective and maintaining a proper attitude about our work is extremely important, too.

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters…
Colossians 3:23 (ESV)

As you begin your new adventure know that honest work is a blessing to God and those you love, as well as yourself. Remember, to thank God for the job He provided and to turn to Him when things get challenging or become difficult. Challenges can be opportunities for us to shine and are a natural part of growing in our role at work.

Reflection Question:

As you start your new job today, how can I pray for you?

Prayer:

Lord, thank You for the blessing of work. Go with all those starting a new job and help them delight in You as You delight in them. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

May the Lord shower You with His grace and mercy. May your first day in your new gig be as awesome as you.

Blessings,

The Devotional Guy™

Thank you to the wonderful visual artists and photographers at Pexels, Pixabay, Unsplash, and Pixlr.

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