Monday Morning Faith - An Introduction to AVODAH WITH GOD: Working with God, God's Way

We’re laying the groundwork for God’s beautiful design for faith-filled, interconnected work, service, and worship. More to come on: Avodah with God; Why does it matter to God? and What does it mean for us?

It’s Monday: Let the Workweek and Test of Faith Begin

It’s the start of the workweek. There are meetings, calls, emails, messages, conversations, deadlines, projects, and pressure to come. Sunday was only yesterday yet it seems to be long gone.

“What was the sermon about again? What were those key takeaways? Hmm…that worship time was powerful…Oh it would be nice to relive yesterday morning. But now it’s Monday morning. Work to do. Back to the grind. Just another work week…yippee!”

Reality check

Jesus, our King who came to serve, is with us always, even while we work. He promised that, saying, “I am with you always, to the end of the age.” - Matthew 28:20. God is both with us and in us through His Spirit, empowering us to do all He calls us to do and be all He calls us to be. We can embrace a faith-filled “growth mindset” with God as Jesus Himself said, “with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26). It’s not just another workday or week, “This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24).

What about our work? Does it truly matter?

Yes! Our work matters to God—both how we work and why we work.

13 “Each one's work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. 14 If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.” - 1 Corinthians 3:13-15

Today, we have the opportunity to work with God, His way. Otherwise, we can refuse His offer to partner with Him and reap what we sow. To that, I give a hearty, “No thanks, not today,” and choose instead to walk by faith with the Maker of heaven and earth, with My Maker who wants to draw Me near to Himself. Today we can choose to take on our Servant King’s easy yoke, light burden, and learn from Him, for He is gentle and lowly in heart. Or, we can choose to go our own way, weighed down by the burdens of sin in and around us, burdened, blinded, and bound to disobey.

Now is the time. Today is the day to willingly lay down all that burdens us and choose to work with, serve, and worship the Lord, who works in us, both to will and to work for His good pleasure (Philippians 2:13). Not by our power, nor by our might, but by His Spirit, we can operate in alignment with God’s beautiful design for meaningful work and worshipful acts of devotion over the long run, walking in a manner worthy of our calling. We can utilize the gifts, time, and talents God has given us to serve the Lord by serving others and glorify God through our work. He cares. Our God sees.

As we go into this new workweek, let’s keep the first things first as Christ instructed us in Matthew 6:33, namely, Christ, His Kingdom & righteousness. We can proclaim as Peter proclaimed to the faithful exiles living across modern day Turkey:

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, 9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls. - 1 Peter 1:3-9

Now is the time. Today is the day to work with God, God’s way, with this eternal perspective.

My Prayer

Help us Lord, Creator of Heaven and the earth, Lover of my soul, our King who came to serve. Teach us to cultivate and keep an eternal perspective. Because of who you are, beautiful Savior, because of all you have done, I love you and want to respond to your love. You saved me! You’re with me! There’s no one more committed to us than you, great God. Thank You for Your steadfast loving-kindness. Thank You for abiding in us through Your life-giving Spirit. You honor us with Your presence.

Empower us by your Spirit to respond to your love, to work with, serve, and worship You today, Your way. Teach us to partner with you. Thank You for Your trustworthy, unchanging character. We can trust in You and know You will never leave us nor forsake us. You rule and reign in glory and still you desire to work in us both to will and to work for Your good pleasure. That’s amazing. You bless us with the desire and ability to do what pleases You. May we desire more and more to please You, awesome God. Grow in us the hunger and willingness to seek You first, Your Kingdom and righteousness. Align our hearts to wholeheartedly believe and proclaim this truth in Psalm 73:23-26:

23 “I am continually with you; you hold my right hand.24 You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory.25 Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.26 My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”

Thank You, God! Your Word amazes me. Thank You for strengthening us. You are our portion forever. Grant us the grace to remain aware of your presence, love, and truth. May we walk in the Spirit as you guide us into all truth as You promised, as beloved sons and daughters of the living God. Thank You, faithful Father in heaven. We pray in the saving name of Jesus, amen.

If you’ve been blessed by God through this post and prayer, feel free to share it with a friend.