Your Work is Worship Unto the Lord

by Mike Tummillo

Why do you get out of bed and go to work each day?

If you answered "so that I can pay my bills," consider this:

%$"3 Avodah (Ah'-voh-dah) is a Hebrew word used in the Bible that has two distinct yet intertwined meanings: worship and work. The dual meaning of this ancient word offers powerful wisdom for modern times. The word appears over 800 times in Scripture, more than the words for praise, singing or prayer COMBINED.

Read that again! The same word refers to both WORK and WORSHIP. Most of us think of singing when we hear the word "worship." Sorry, but worship is a lifestule; an attitude of the heart. Sure, we can worship God in song in a church building, but if we're at work more than we're singing in church...WORSHIP HIM ONCE YOU'VE CLOCKED-IN!

What else can we do? We can love EVERYBODY God places before us and treat them all as if they were an angel in disguise. After all, whatsoever we do to them, we do to Jesus.

Most people will be repulsed by a mouthful of doctrine or denominational quirks. On the other hand, they'll be drawn by unconditional love and acceptance.

I'm reminded of the Christian plumber I'll call "Craig" who's working on my house right now. A good-looking young man in his early 20's, I officiated his wedding about 7 months back. His dad and I go back a few years and I remember him telling me about the time Craig approached a burly, shirtless, tattooed laborer with long hair simply to say "hello." Craig had a few tattooes himself and actually complimented the large, sweating man on his "body art." The man was taken off-guard that Craig spoke to him just for the sake of talking. He even asked Craig WHY he spoke to him, adding that nobody EVER speaks to him just for the sake of having a conversation.

The big guy was being loved and it threw him off.

As a Workplace Chaplain, I can attest that the breakrooms, assembly lines and conference rooms of American industries are loaded with hurting people who need help. Frequent are the occasions when, within the first 5 minutes of a conversation, simply because I'm giving someone my undivided attention, a weary employee begins to cry. Then they open up and healing begins...men and women. Even those in high positions.

TIP: Pray every day for Divine appointments. Ask God to send you that "person of peace" to whom you can minister; one who will embrace the message and receive God's goodness, grace and love as exhibited THROUGH YOU!

All ANY of us needs to be is available and obedient.