For those who are married, we know that sometimes your husband’s work stress can be a parasite. But you don’t have to be married to let your own pursuit of profit become a parasite in your life. Maybe the parasite is in YOU!
Every woman works. Make no mistake about that, but some work is viewed as “professional” and some as “non-professional.” Whatever we label it, if we’re a woman following God, we’re exhorted, ” Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” (Colossians 3:23-24) If we’re home with a baby, at the office with a boss who acts like a baby, in a classroom full of students, or working from home for pay, we’re ultimately working for the glory of God.
But the reason for our work is where the parasite finds its way in. Our reason for working may grow into a monster that masters us: working to pay college tuition, working to raise a great child, working to feel significant, working to pay the bills, working to feel needed, working for recognition, working for some “fun” money.
Profit comes in many forms; our Enemy watches and knows which one entices us most. For Eve it was a forbidden fruit and the knowledge that supposedly came with it. What is it for you? Even work we love has the potential to consume us. I LOVE to teach, but in my classroom years, I battled with letting it take over my life. In full-time ministry, it’s a constant balancing act. And what mother wouldn’t admit struggling with letting her parenting profession become her identity?
Whatever the reason behind your work, it can easily become the PURPOSE of your life or the MASTER of your life, and then you’ve got a parasite inside you.
My purpose in life is not to be a Women’s Ministry Director. It’s also not to be a mother. It’s also not to be a writer. It’s not to be a Bible teacher. My purpose in life is to bring God glory, and in the variety of ways that make up the “whatever” I do to bring Him glory, I need to work for HIM. That changes with the seasons of life and the circumstances God brings. “So whatever you do, Julie, whether you’re being a wife or mom or minister or writer or administrator or leader or cleaning the bathroom, work hard for the Lord and not for people, because the Lord is the one you are serving and must please.”
We have to work. The settings vary, but all women work. We have earthly masters, but they don’t have to master us. If any of these words describe the work you do, you might need treatment for a parasite.
- consuming
- defeating
- controlling
- addictive
If you think the work in your life or the profit you seek has become a parasite in your life, confess that to the Lord, memorize this truth, and today do what pleases GOD.
“Bondservants, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord.” (Col. 3: 22)
