‘What can I do for you?’

Don’t you just love it when some asks, with all sincerity, “What can I do for you?” I don’t know about you, but it makes me feel very loved and special —  like they really care.

One of the narrators of my daily devotion guide posed the idea that maybe that would be an acceptable question for us to ask the Lord every day.

“What can I do for you today, Lord?” 

Do you ever get out of bed, or maybe before your feet hit the floor, and you already feel tired with the same old, same old stuff to do. Out of bed, take a shower, put on makeup, clothes and get out the door. Hopefully taking time to read the Bible and say a few prayers. That sounds very humdrum and boring. 

The song the elves sing, “Hi Ho, Hi Ho, it’s off to work we go,” sounds more chipper than we sometimes feel.

I admire you hard workers who have to do the same job every day. I’m definitely not wired that way, and I’d be the one screaming and making a quick exit for the door.

But even though my job is basically different all the time, (A newspaper is a new product every day!) there are days when I wonder, “Why am I doing this?” But I’m sure I’m not the only one that has ever felt that way.

So why do we continue breathing, eating, sleeping and working? Is there a purpose or reason for our existence? Even at one point, the richest and wisest man in the history of mankind, King Solomon felt the same way. 

Yes, there sure is a purpose. First of all, I’m also an undercover agent —  and so are you! Did you know that? That’s right. God has placed us in our jobs, our neighborhoods and communities to be a light for Him. Some are in a darker area than others … but we are NOT randomly tossed out human beings like grated cheese on a pizza. We are specifically placed because He has a job for us to do. Your job, your neighborhood is your cover for the real job of telling others about Jesus.

The first Sunday we arrived in Harrison to check things out (38 years ago) we stood on the steps of the church looking out at that beautiful Boat Mountain view and the community and knew in our hearts this is where God called us to be. Of course it wasn’t official until the congregation also agreed, and they did. It has been that way each time we had a major decision to make. God made His will very plain and it was up to us to obey.

So when the alarm goes off and it’s time to start another day, remember God gave you this day to serve Him. Everyone doesn’t wake up to a new day. “Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not, They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23. I love the song, “Great is Your Faithfulness.” (Make sure my hubby has the two or three in attendance sing that at my funeral! —  You guys are my witnesses!)

So I’ve been praying, “What can I do for you today, Lord?” It puts the day in perspective. Every delay is ultimately for my good. Every negative comment is probably something I should learn from. We probably shouldn’t stand on our desks and preach a sermon … unless God tells you to. But instead we should be dependable, hard working, honest employees that light up a room with the love of Jesus. It’s not impossible, but it’s not easy either. Because the opposition is going to stick his toe in the middle of things and try to make you mess up or give up. What if you do give up and walk out? What if that very next day a coworker would have asked you why you serve Jesus Christ? 

See what happens when you ask the Lord what we can do for Him today. You realize He is all powerful and doesn’t really “need” us. He chooses to use us so we can receive blessings and honor Him. Thank you for loving us Jesus, and wanting to be a part of our life … even when it feels humdrum!