Wash the plate not because it is dirty nor because you are told to wash it,
but because you love the person who will use it next.
~Saint Teresa of Calcutta
As an Executive Assistant, I can easily get caught up in my “need tos” and my “shoulds.” AKA, my tasks. I have learned to look at the mountain and mentally dissect it, breaking it down by priority, size, time, and a variety of other distinctions before charging ahead fully armed in conquer mode. In the process, though, I can easily slip into doing what I do because it is my responsibility rather than because I love the one I am doing it for.
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit.
Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,
not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
Philippians 2:3-4
I serve many people. We all do! Our families, neighbors, friends, community, oversights, coworkers, and strangers all get our time, talents, and attention to one degree or another. This calling is a gift. Yet, there are days when, for a variety of reasons, we might not see it that way. Our human nature takes hold and suddenly pride, fear, or selfishness have highjacked our motivations.
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
When was the last time you spent your day with the mindset that you are stewarding your responsibilities for the Lord, himself? When you take a call, you are the Lord’s ambassador to the caller. When you respond to a difficult email, you are doing so as a delegate of Jesus. When you set up an event, you are preparing a place on behalf of the Jesus who loves those who will attend.
Personally, I am asking the Lord to refresh my awareness of this fact – my awareness of his invitation. My desire is to approach each day, both at the office and at home, with the intention to accomplish what has been entrusted to me simply because I love the one I am accomplishing it for. May love be my greatest aim (1 Corinthians 14:1) as I approach each person and set my hands to each task. And in the process, my prayer is that each one would know…
You are adored.
You Are Adored 