If you live in the United States your life expectancy is about 77 years. That allows you about 4004 Sundays. As each of us knows we are on our best behavior at church. There is no cussing. You are super polite to everyone, and you have a smile on your face if your eyes meet someone else’s eyes. More than likely someone was arguing with the kids or grandkids about getting ready for church before you got in the car. It is possible you argued the way to church over something. But once you walked in the church doors life was wonderful, if anyone saw your face. You might even have been holding hands.
If you live to be 77 years of age, God will have also given you about 24,101 days extra besides Sundays. What is life like on those days? Do you like Mondays? Do you look forward to going to work? It is extremely important who we are outside the doors of the church. Especially at work when we are around brothers and sisters in Christ and unbelievers. We must be Jesus to others every day of the week. It is not an option to behave differently outside of two hours on Sundays.
“Jim, you don’t understand where I work. Those people are vile! They cuss all the time and tell off-color jokes even around me. I hate my boss too!” I do understand where you are coming from. I worked in that environment for 32 years. It is difficult but the more you are like Jesus around them the greater your witness. There was a season of my life when I was those men. But God changed my life. If others do not see the same person on Tuesday as they see on Sunday morning, then we are hypocrites.
Colossians 3:5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. 7 You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. 8 But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. 9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices. 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.
12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
God never said for us to do this only on Sunday mornings at church. This is the way we are to live as followers of Christ. Colossians 17… And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
When you go to work don’t work for your boss. Do your work in the name of Jesus for Him. You do your work as if Jesus were your boss and you will be much happier at work. Thank Jesus for your job. Thank Jesus for your income. Both are His blessings on you.
In closing, yes, Mondays are hard and so are the other days. Try your very best for others, and co-workers to see Jesus in your life as a living example, by your words and actions. Check your mouth and your heart constantly as you walk through your day with Jesus beside you. He never leaves you. He never abandons you or gives up on you. You are His child no matter your age.You are His chosen one. It is time we “all” started behaving like it, all seven days. All includes me.
Jim Everett
