“Whatever your task, work heartily, as serving the Lord and not men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward; you are serving the Lord Christ.”
Colossians 3:23-24 (RSV)
Last week, I met a new nurse assistant, a young man, who puts God first in everything he does, and is very open about his faith, as well. He was born in Belize and has been recently hired at Jon’s Nursing home. I will call him Adam for privacy reasons.
Last week Adam was assigned to my son, Jon, who was due for a shave. It takes two people to shave him, one to hold his left arm down while the other shaves him. Jon resists everything that people try to do, and although his right arm is paralyzed, he has very good strength in his left arm, which he’s adapted to using daily.
Adam came to me one day and apologized for only shaving half of Jon’s face, since he was trying to do it alone, without help, and wasn’t able to finish. I told him I understand, and then the next day, I noticed Jon was totally clean shaven. Adam persisted by asking for help from another nurse assistant and finished the job.
In the past, when nurse assistants struggled to accomplish a task with Jon, I would occasionally give them a $10 tip, which they really appreciate. I only do it once in a while, knowing how hard they work, since Jon is so much more challenging than other residents.
Before leaving that day, I looked around for Adam, to give him a tip and thank him for shaving Jon. Adam refused to accept the money, saying he does his work for God and could not accept a tip. I tried to insist, but he kept saying that all his rewards come from God. I told him sometimes He rewards us through other people, but Adam still turned it down.
A sweet older lady resident, who was watching the whole thing, called me over and said, “Maria, just put the money in his pocket.” So, I turned back and quickly put the $10 inside Adam’s shirt pocket, saying, “Let God give you a little reward through me today, Adam.”
He smiled and finally accepted it. Adam reminded me of today’s scripture, the letter to the Colossians. He is so dedicated to doing a secular job for God, for rewards that are lasting and eternal, instead of the ones from people. It’s so rare to find people like Adam, and he definitely left an impression on me.
It reminded me that every task I do should be from my heart, to serve God first, more than people. The rewards which the world gives can distract us from our mission. We can be so delighted by the praises of people, or the money we earn, or the material blessings we acquire, that they can eclipse our central purpose of serving God for Him and His rewards alone.
In a more perfect world, everyone, especially political leaders, would do their jobs to reap rewards from God, and not from their ego or pride, or for the praise and popularity of people. Seeking God’s rewards would precede
political ambition and the drive for financial prosperity, but it’s obviously not a perfect world.
Each believer can still seek God and His promises to reward what we do from our heart, to serve the Lord and not men. God gives us a reward, beyond the monetary or material ones of this world. We have an inheritance that awaits us in heaven, by serving Christ during this lifetime. Adam is one example of that kind of humility that maintains a God centered perspective, in living for the rewards that last eternally.
Lord, help us to remember to do every task with our whole heart, doing it ultimately for You, which reaps those eternal heavenly rewards. Amen
