Loving God the marker of days, make this day as a day of rich blessing for this dear reader; in Christ Jesus' name I pray, amen.
Here is our text for today: Colossians 3:18-25: 18 Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. 19 Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them. 20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. 21 Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged. 22 Slaves, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in singleness of heart, fearing the Lord. 23 Whatever your task, work heartily, as serving the Lord and not men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward; you are serving the Lord Christ. 25 For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality. And to see it in a different light here is the same passage in The Message version: 18 Wives, understand and support your husbands by submitting to them in ways that honor the Master. 19 Husbands, go all out in love for your wives. Don't take advantage of them. 20 Children, do what your parents tell you. This delights the Master no end. 21 Parents, don't come down too hard on your children or you'll crush their spirits. 22 Servants, do what you're told by your earthly masters. And don't just do the minimum that will get you by. Do your best. 23 Work from the heart for your real Master, for God, 24 confident that you'll get paid in full when you come into your inheritance. Keep in mind always that the ultimate Master you're serving is Christ. 25 The sullen servant who does shoddy work will be held responsible. Being Christian doesn't cover up bad work.
In all our roles and responsibilities our aim should be to please the Lord. Whether we're married and have a spouse or a child with parents or parents with children, how we interact and how we honor and work with each other, our goal should be to honor the Lord. You and I have worked alongside those who know just enough to get by; head down not hard at work but to avoid the radar, hoping just to punch in and punch out, never "punching it" in terms of being the best or the hardest worker. Should we be this way in the things of God? The answer is no! A sainted mentor of mine would say when he was a district superintendent to those pastors just starting out, "You're getting minimum salary to start with, but it doesn't have to stay this way. If you work at it, you'll see the results of your hard work and you'll be rewarded." A friend of mine on the seminary board is celebrating thirty years at his first appointment, a once two-point circuit that is now the second largest church in his conference.
Ask God to make you the best wife, the best husband, the best child, the best parent, the best servant of the Most High and see if God won't be honored by what God will share!
PRAYER: God of power, fill me with Your Spirit so that in all things I might be the best at loving, understanding, supporting and working, for You, for my loved ones, for all and for me. I ask this in Jesus' precious name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord.
Eradio Valverde
