We are pleased to introduce author Andy McIlvain to EnactedWord.com
When I prepare my coffee, I first grind the coffee beans. Did you know there are basically five types of grinds? Coarse like rock salt, medium like sand, fine finer than table salt, extra fine almost like flour, and Turkish-like flour. That daily grind helps determine how the coffee tastes.
The dictionary defines daily grind as the everyday monotonous routine of life. Life can be like a grind: coarse, medium, or fine. However, unlike when I grind my coffee beans, we have little control over our daily grind. Moreover, we live in a culture that has a negative view of work. Most people live for the weekends. The phrase “The Daily Grind” is not an optimistic one. You may have used it to refer to the drudgery of your job.
So how are we to live out our Christian witness while working? I work in healthcare. I am blessed to be employed; I have good insurance; I work with empathetic and compassionate people. Yet, healthcare remains a profession with very high rates of turnover and dissatisfaction. The sinful futility that consumes the world infects even us, who live in one of the most prosperous nations in history. We have the most choices, the most opportunity, yet we are unhappy.
Are you tired and fatigued with family obligations? Work and health problems? What can you do? The Apostle Paul said, “… make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody (1 Thessalonians 4:11-12).” Paul tells us we should work diligently, avoid conflict, and provide for ourselves and our family. Why? Because God has made a connection between how we work and how the world views us and the gospel.
Practically this means we should pray daily for opportunities to talk with people about Jesus. The Holy Spirit presents many opportunities to talk or listen to people. When we work hard for God, we earn the respect of those around us. This may open up opportunities. Don’t be afraid to speak up.
God has made it clear that what we see is not the ultimate reality (2 Corinthians 4:16-18).
Learn to listen, to tell your story. It may have more impact than you could ever imagine.
Jesus said to his disciples: “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” (Luke 10:2)
Submitted by: Andy McIlvain