Ephesians 2:8-9 says it clearly: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-not by works, so that no one can boast.” Sometimes people incorrectly stop reading there–the thought continues in verse 10: “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

God planned for us to do good works. Whatever those works are, however you want to interpret these verses, the fact remains: we have something to do for God, something He wants us to do.

This makes me wonder: We wake up in the morning, drink our coffee, and go to work. At the end of the day, we drive home, grab a bite, go to sleep. Something’s missing. And we’re too busy and too tired to think much about it. It deserves a little thought.

Getting in touch with what we are supposed to be doing begins with knowing who we are–more accurately, whose we are. We work for God. “You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men.” (1 Corinthians 7:23)  There was a former employer, and our former self worked for him. But we are to put aside that former way of life, change our attitude, and put on our new business suit. Here is the key, in Ephesians Chapter 4:

“You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”

I love that whole verse, (I love the whole Bible), but the last part of that first brings me such joy. That we are created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness is a thought so big that we should etch it on our hearts and minds. We need help to understand such a lofty thought.

God gave us an employee manual. It tells us everything we need to know for life. It even tells us how we should treat our earthly masters AKA employers. We don’t quit our jobs just because we are born again. We return and work as unto the Lord.

We have to get away from thinking this world is everything there is to life. We of all people should know that. We are here for God’s purpose. It’s not about our jobs, possessions, or security in this world. It’s not about us at all.  “You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ.” (Romans 8:9)

Once we are born again we have a better vocation, a higher calling. That higher calling includes revealing God’s glory as we live out the remainder of our life in this world.

With every breath we take, with every move we make, let’s glorify God. As we walk in His faith and obey Him by His grace, He is glorified. This is what I want to do every day.

“In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”   Matthew 5:16