Understanding My Work Again

Scripture: We pray that you’ll live well for the Master, making him proud of you as you work hard in his orchard. As you learn more and more how God works, you will learn how to do your work. Colossians 1:10

Observation: As in other letters, Paul opens this letter to the church at Colosse with a general description of the joy he feels when he prays for them. In this case, his prayer becomes specific when discussing their "work". The prayer is hope for the work they do to be good, and also for that work to teach them something about God himself and that they would "learn how to do your work" (emphasis NOT added). In other translations, this same passage is about how to live life, but also more strongly uses a metaphor of harvest. It is about living a life that is worthy of the Lord and pleasing to him, bearing fruit in its work, while also deepening one's understanding and knowledge of the Lord himself.

Application: Again today I am drawn to apply this to 'my work' on earth. It remains work I do not fully understand, and thus I feel I need to wonder about two questions. First, is this work even in the 'orchard' ... is this really God's work for me? And second, if this is the work intended for me, what do I need to learn in order to bring myself into God's alignment and purpose for me in this place and time?

The first of these questions is clearly about life purpose. I don't always feel like I'm doing anything for the kingdom here, but certainly that might also be more about the second question ... me missing the mark when it comes to understanding how I should be serving the Lord here. And thus, perhaps I need to be leaning into this second question all the more.

How can I learn to do MY work here? What is MY work here? Certainly the process of learning "how" to do my work begins with the revelation of what that work actually is. Ideas come to my own mind, but I know how dangerous that can be, so instead this needs to involve way more prayer and conversation with the Lord.

Prayer: Lord, I do pray into this today, and may I pray into it more every day. What is my purpose right here, in this place and time you have given me. I may not always like it, but I am very aware you placed me here. Perhaps it was for a specific season that involved a specific outcome that is outside of the work environment. However, perhaps it was for this seasons for an outcome that you desire right here, in this place. The truth is, I do not know, and as Paul reveals, understanding this better will increase my knowledge of you. I love you, Lord, and I seek you. May I be worthy of the work you have planned for me, and may I learn of it and pursue it more and more. Amen.