“Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.” – Thessalonians 4:11-12

In his executive video on “Making the Secular Sacred,” Jon Tyson, Lead Pastor, Church of the City New York, explained that it is not the work itself that is sacred versus secular. What distinguishes sacred work from secular work is our motives – the posture of our heart. Your work is sacred, regardless of what you do, when you do it with holy intent. When your heart is set on pleasing God and serving others, your work will reveal Christ’s love and contribute to God’s kingdom. If you’re struggling to find purpose and meaning in your work, pause and remember who you’re really working for. Do your work with a posture of worship to God and you may just discover a renewed sense of peace and energy for your work.

This week challenge yourself to do all of your work with holy intent, as an act of worship to God.

• Check your motives. Be intentional about expressing your gratitude to God for your work and ask for His help to keep your motives pure when setting your priorities and doing your work.
• Shift your focus, when necessary, from looking out for yourself to serving others. Concern for how we look and how often we are recognized for our contribution can steal precious energy from serving others.
• Shift your frame of reference from working for a human boss to working for God by being disciplined about seeking God first as you start your day and turning to Him for direction throughout each workday.

For more on making your work sacred:

• DEVOTIONAL: Give Your Work Meaning