I continue my journey in ministry
recognizing, of course, ministry is not limited to the pulpit of my
church. As a reminder to my few readers,
I am a bivocational pastor who works at Zaxby’s. Needless to say, there are many real life
opportunities to do ministry while there 40 or more hours per week.
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as
working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you
know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the
Lord Christ you are serving.
Colossians 3:23-24 (NIV)
I continue to
learn much at Zaxby’s and really want to succeed. The job, for me, is very physically
demanding. Sometimes it can take up to a
day and a half for me to recover from a full shift in the kitchen. I have truly learned to depend on God for
strength on those tough days and continue to work at it with all my heart.
Honestly, there
are times I feel so very inadequate doing something I have never done before.
Especially, when there are those at work who remind me constantly of all the things
I need to do better or “Charlie, you’re making progress but it will take you a
few years to get to where you need to be.” It is very disheartening to say the
least. Then I am reminded of Paul’s word
to the Colossians – “work for the Lord…
Do my best…Not for human praise…but for the Lord.”
A gentleman once wrote Marilyn vos
Savant with a question about life. Ms. vos Savant is listed in the Guiness Book
of World Records Hall of Fame for highest IQ, and has a regular column in
Parade. This particular inquirer said his life was "more exhausting
than he ever imagined" and wanted to know, "Is this
normal?" Marilyn told him his life was indeed normal and then
gave the following analogy about life. She said, "Much of the time,
life is like going through the airport steering a loaded luggage cart with one
bad wheel. Sometimes you just feel ridiculous, sometimes you actually look
ridiculous, and sometimes all you can do is just try to push it in generally
the right direction." (Parade, Oct. 12, 1997, p. 8)
So…What now? I will march in the other room, get my
shower, shave, put my Zaxby’s uniform on with my manager badge..go to work,
smile…knowing I have an opportunity to honor my Lord by “working at it with all
my might.”
You too, get up… stop pouting, and
moping about your job…go show people Jesus in you…
Blessings,
Charlie W.
