Devotional--Work, Part III

John 13.1-5, 12-14

  Now before the festival of the Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. 2The devil had already put it into the heart of Judas son of Simon Iscariot to betray him.

  And during supper 3Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, 4got up from the table, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. 5Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him.

12 After he had washed their feet, had put on his robe, and had returned to the table, he said to them, ‘Do you know what I have done to you? 13You call me Teacher and Lord—and you are right, for that is what I am. 14So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.
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  This might seem to you an odd choice for a series on work, but I think it's important that we take a moment and realize what our purpose truly is.  We've talked about the importance of seeing our work as a calling, and now I'd like to discuss what it means to keep our eyes open during our work for opportunities to proclaim Christ.

  Think of all the times you're interrupted during work.  Perhaps you work in a place where co-workers or clients are constantly poking their heads into your world, for conversation or just for business.  Rather than see those as a distraction, is there a way you can recognize those small moments as chances to focus fully on that person, as a chance to serve them?  In the Scripture, Christ gets up from the table and washes the disciples' feet--he performs a loving act of service that shows them how much he cares.  We, too, are called to serve our neighbors by showing them we care.

  Perhaps they'll be intrigued and ask you why you care.  Maybe they'll wonder why you focus on them, why you listen.  Maybe they'll notice how you invest time and care in others.  That's your window to talk about how you seek to show the love of Christ to others.  Maybe they won't ask--all we can do is show up and continue to be a witness, a servant, and love others in the midst of our work.  We have to trust the Holy Spirit to open windows around us!

Blessings