Well done, good and faithful servant; Enter into the joy of your lord! Matthew 25:21
When I was a young mother the most frustrating thing about housework was the fact that in never stayed done. I would work hard then watch what I had accomplished fall apart in less than one day. At the time, I thought the endless cycle of futility was the housewife’s curse. Then I took a job and suddenly realized ALL work is temporary and doomed to decay. Even the pyramids are slowly turning back into sand.
This seemed sad, until I found two reasons the Bible gives for rejoicing in our work. First, is the immediate satisfaction found in finishing each temporary task and, second, is the joy of knowing no task is really temporary because God never forgets!
Solomon spent years trying to figure out what was good about life and in the end came to this conclusion: “I know that there is nothing better for men than to [. . . ] find satisfaction in all his work—this is the gift of God.” (Ecc. 3:12-13). Whether we are painting a wall, making a bed or sending memos to congress, our daily work is a gift. If we embrace the satisfaction of each completed task, we have an immediate joy that lifts our spirit.
We also have a second joy because God never forgets our work. None of it. The One who is so meticulous He doesn’t forget to reward even a cup of cold water given in the name of a disciple (Mat. 10:42) will not overlook you (Heb. 6:10). Guaranteed.
Are you feeling overworked and underappreciated today? Focus your emotions on the immediate reward of knowing you have done the job well and focus your hope on tomorrow when Jesus says, “Well done!” You may find the load a lot lighter.
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