And the second question is……

You might recall that my Marine friend gave me two questions that we need to be able to answer in order to be successful in any job. I have already shared the first question, “Who is my boss?” Can you guess the second question? It isn’t rocket science.

The question is, “What is my job?” Funny how tough answering this second question can be.

Can you describe what you do in the elevator speech format? (An elevator speech is a set of remarks that can be made in the time that it takes for the elevator door to close on one floor and open on the next floor. It’s a great tool to force us to focus on the most important points.)

Describe what you do out loud. Practice it a few times.

If you are like most people, your description of your job is probably task oriented. “I do this.” “I make that.” Forgetting about our elevator speech for a moment, let’s think about the parts of our jobs that aren’t related to those specific tasks.

Christians have responsibilities and opportunities that go across all of our activities. On this first Friday in September, let me encourage you with some marvelous scripture.

“It’s in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, he had his eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose he is working out in everything and everyone.” (Ephesians 1:11-12)

And,

“In a well-furnished kitchen there are not only crystal goblets and silver platters, but waste cans and compost buckets—some containers used to serve fine meals, others to take out the garbage. Become the kind of container God can use to present any and every kind of gift to his guests for their blessing.

^“Run away from infantile indulgence. Run after mature righteousness—faith, love, peace—joining those who are in honest and serious prayer before God. Refuse to get involved in inane discussions; they always end up in fights. God’s servant must not be argumentative, but a gentle listener and a teacher who keeps cool, working firmly but patiently with those who refuse to obey.” (II Timothy 2:20-24)

Stay true to the job that your employer has given you. Do the work. But, as you do the tasks of your position, know that there is a reason for your job that goes beyond money and position. We serve a calling that is higher than our list of tasks and our Heavenly Father has placed us exactly where He needs us to be.

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” (Colossians 3:23)

Happy Friday!!