The Final Word.
For far too long there's been a great divide in the Church between the sacred and the secular, the former being more important in the eyes of God and the latter amounting to little or nothing at all. While it's true that some things are temporal and fleeting, while others last forever, God never intended for us to bail on worldly endeavors. Rather, His call is to penetrate every inch of humanity as a means of reflecting His light and love to every person alive.
Such thinking amplifies the heart of true worship, which is less about our "spiritual" gatherings and far more about what happens everywhere else we spend our days. Thus, Paul makes a powerfully freeing, yet convicting statement when he writes: 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 (Colossians 3:17, NIV). In other words, it's not what you do that matters most, rather doing whatever you do for the one name that lasts forever.
Each of us has a passion that ceaselessly stirs within, something that captivates our desires and dreams- something we're uniquely wired to do. For some it's fine art, fashion, law or linguistics, while others get cranked up about motherhood, mergers or microbiology.
The key is that we never view these pursuits as sub-spiritual options. There isn't anything more spiritual about being a pastor than a banker, a missionary or a musician. Some desperately desire to plant a church, while others dream of creating the new IT solution that will enable that church to function better. Both are just as valid in the eyes of God, because, at the end of the day, we are not rewarded for our field of pursuit, rather for the way we made Jesus famous in the moments we were given in this life.
If every follower of Jesus abandoned all "secular" pursuits and joined the church staff, that wouldn't leave much glimmering light in the halls of power or the towers of commerce. So we must lose the tyranny of comparison and instead dive into the heart of the matter- namely, the motivation behind the "whatever" we choose to do.
If we're pursuing our dream out of self-indulgence or to take a stab at earthly acclaim, riches or fame, we are deluding ourselves and guaranteeing a tiny, shriveling payoff for our fleeting journey on earth. But Paul offers another prize and a greater purpose when he summons us to do everything we do (in word or in deed) in Jesus' name. And why wouldn't we? We're carrying rescue in our hearts as a result of the staggering reality of the cross that bears His name. Why would we not abandon self to live for a more durable fame than our own? He's the Creator and Redeemer of all.
Each of us is holding something precious in our hands, a scared trust of talent or opportunity that is a gift from God. It's likely that what's in my hands is different from what He's placed in yours. But the cross unifies our purpose, assuring that both can (and should) be leveraged for the name that outshines all names.
So often Christians live such indistinguishable lives in the "secular" arena, while shining so vividly within the confines of the church. But the challenge is for us to make a mark in the streams of culture, which requires a massive devotion of life and energy to the end that we do whatever we do with an excellence, authenticity and Christ-like spirit that is unmatched in the world.
It's clear in Scripture that people will never hear and know the face of Christ without a "preacher," but there's a good chance they're not searching for someone in a suit with a podium between his proclamation and their dilemma. I say this, though often sans pulpit, as a communicator of God's Story. So I'm not knocking us preachers. But I believe the world is waiting for someone elbow to elbow with them in their daily pursuits who is exporting a completely different Kingdom mentality by the character they reflect in all they do.
So feel free to do "whatever," as long as you can do it all in His name. And do every single ounce in such a way that it makes the world wonder what makes you tick the way you do. In that moment a door will open to an audience who doesn't realize they just asked possibly the only preacher they know to tell them of a God who is greater than everything they've ever seen.
- Louie Giglio, ccm.