“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” (1 Peter 2:9)
Old Yeller
Remember the movie Old Yeller? The late Fred Gipson from Mason, Texas wrote the book this movie is based on.
At the entrance to the library in Mason stands a bronze statue of the movie’s stars… Travis & Old Yeller. The bronze was sculpted by Garland Weeks, a Texas artist.
People from everywhere reminisce some part of their childhood as they come to view the statue depicting the boy Travis and the dog Old Yeller.
Live Like A King And A Priest
Garland Weeks knows something about connecting His work to the Kingdom of God. “When I walk into my studio, I guess it’s like a priest walking into his chapel”, he said in an interview.
Why is this important?
Most Christians never make the connection that they are kings and priests. So they don’t live like a king or a priest.
To them ministry means seminary, bible school, missions, serving in their church, or some other form of service apart from their “other” work.
Work Is Worship
Truthfully, your “other” work is your primary ministry. It is as sacred as any other ministry work. Doesn’t it make sense that what you spend the most time doing will give you the most opportunities to be Salt & Light in the world.?
Avodah (Ah´-voe-dah) is a Hebrew noun used in the Bible that has two distinct yet intertwined meanings:
- worship
- and work
It is also derived from the Hebrew verb L’Avod which has two meanings:
- to work
- and also to worship
The dual meaning offers powerful wisdom for modern times for how we are to view our work lives.
Work, if done with integrity and unto God, is a form of worship in the biblical Hebrew context.
Abundant Life
When God connects your hearts desire, your career, and your calling into one package, a renewed passion for abundant life begins.
Each day you’re a kingly priest walking into your appointed court.
Be who God made you to be, and go for it!
A great reminder to live for God, not for self. Glorify God in all we say and do.
Hi Scott,
I’m not familiar with the movie Old Yeller.
Perhaps I’ll watch it one day with my husband; we enjoy relaxing with a movie now and then.
You wrote:
“Most Christians never make the connection that they are kings and priests. So they don’t live like a king or a priest.”
This is a vital point.
It has to do with our perspective.
You have a valid point when you suggest that we should see the Christian faith as connected to what we do in our day-to-day life.
It’s our mission to be salt & light to the World, as you say in this blog post.
When we find the right perspective, and we are able to connect all the dots, we can enjoy the abundant lift God wants us to live.
God bless,
Edna Davidsen.
The movie is an “oldie but goodie”. I know so many who call themselves Christian, but believe they should “keep it to themselves”, especially in the workplace.
There are people who don’t use wisdom or discretion in how they express their faith the workplace. So I think many are fearful that they will come across in the same manner.
This is why we train people how to be fully engaged and effective in Marketplace Ministry. It is part of the discipleship process.
I know I made a few blunders, like the time I told a young Jewish boy in a convenience store that Jesus was His Messiah. It didn’t go over well. I had to ask God to redeem the situation as only He can do.
But can we learn more from our mistakes than our success.
Oh, I love this! I didn’t know that the definition in Hebrew had work and worship intertwined, but it makes so much sense. I am often reminded that God gave work to Adam before the fall, which means our work is not a curse, it’s a blessing! Thank you for this perspective that our work is, in fact, worship and not just something we do five days a week to provide for our meals and families.
Yes Emily… pretty cool stuff. Hebrew is a language where words can have what appear to be opposite meanings. But the Jewish mind seems to understand the meaning in the context of its use.
I co-pastored with a Messianic (born again) Jewish Rabbi for about two years. Boy, did I learn a lot from him!
Thank you for sharing this insight – especially in explaining the Hebrew!
I love how you said, “Work, if done with integrity and unto God, is a form of worship in the biblical Hebrew context.” I think this helps make more sense of Romans 12:1 – which I’ve been chewing on lately… the English translations go back and forth between “worship” and “service” in verse,
“Therefore I urge you, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service” (WEB translation).
This is of course, Greek and not Hebrews – but God is consistent in any language 😉
Thanks again for the insight on what it means to worship!
Christina, great example from Romans, which of course was written by a Jewish scholar! We are truly living sacrifices when we walk in the Spirit, and not according to the flesh!
Yes, you have cracked the code, Scott.
I agree 100%.
All the rest is religions idea of how we should serve God, for generations we have been told to do and work but it was always about the church, not us or God.
Fantastic message – keep it pumping my friend
love your work
Thanks for you kind words of encouragement. We tend to go from freedom in Christ to religious bondage, but hopefully back to freedom!
Love this ? Be who God creates me to be. Let all that I do worship God!
You got it girl! Remember this when it’s time to do the dishes!