Working for Christ

When I was 10 years old, I got my first job working at a riding stable.  Each day that I worked (about three or four hours), I put clean shavings in the stalls, swept the barn floor, and helped to bring in hay bales from the field.  In exchange, one of the working students gave me riding lessons on an Appaloosa gelding named Gunmetal.  I learned my work ethic from some of the best riders in the country.  Some of them went on to join the United States Equestrian Team (USET) and go on to compete in the Olympics.

Having learned under these people was an experience of a lifetime, but not as exciting as the one lesson I received from the owner of the stable.  The owner was a member of the USET and the team used her property to train for world-wide competition in Dressage and Three-Day Eventing (dressage, stadium jumping, cross-country jumping).  I watched the riders train every time I worked, that summer.  It was amazing! It was a dream come true and as the years went by I worked for and got to know many world-renound competitors in the horse world; but, nothing stands out to me as clearly as riding for the owner.  I became a perfectionist in my work and I gave my all to impress her because she was important.  You see, I loved the give and take.  I gave all of myself to my work so that I could receive valuable and quality riding lessons.

Now that I'm all grown up, I still have my good work ethic.  Sure, there are some things I could improve upon, such as, being more rested for work, leaving five minutes earlier so that I'm not rushing out the door at home, having my files a little more organized; however, even though I have a boss I now recognize that my work is not just for her, it's for Christ.  My work has the potential to turn people to or away from the Lord according to my actions.  Even so, God is watching.

In Ephesians 6:5-9, Paul told us to work as if we were working for the Lord.  He knows our hearts, too, so we'd better be sincere and obedient, with good attitude, and avoid complaining (even in our minds!).  I have lots to work on and with the power of prayer, I can overcome my occassional negative attitude.  What is the end goal?  To expand the Kingdom of God.  Rewards will follow.  You'll see.