A Job Well Done

“I was cupbearer to the king.”  Nehemiah 1:11

I do not know the occupations of all who will read this devotion, but I do know several and they are varied.  Some teach college.  Some teach kindergarten.  Some work at home.  Some at the office.  Some own a business.  Some feel owned by a business.  Some count money.  Some count birds (that would be my biologist husband.)  Some pastor.  Some own pastures.  Some care for bodies.  Some care for souls.  Some grow plants.  Some sell cars.  Some fix things.  Some farm.  Some change tires. Some change diapers.  But though we all do different things, each of us is busy accomplishing the tasks of today (and sometimes of yesterday, too!)

The job Nehemiah held isn’t in high demand right now, but qualities of his profession are often in short supply.  Nehemiah was cupbearer to the king of Persia, but he did more than carry the royal wine.  He tasted it first to make sure it was safe from the poison of a cruel enemy or a treacherous ally.  In short, before anything went into the king’s mouth, it went into Nehemiah’s first.

This job involved risk, trust, and loyalty.  Every single day, Nehemiah placed his life on the line to ensure that someone else stayed safe.  And every single day, because of Nehemiah’s proximity to the royal court, the king trusted him to keep quiet the nation’s secrets and quite likely asked for his advice.  Nehemiah’s competence and reliability had earned the favor of a powerful ruler.

Your paycheck might not come from a palace, but your work is more than just a job—it’s a divine adventure. Each encounter is an opportunity.  Each responsibility is a privilege.  Every spreadsheet, board meeting, test to grade, field to spray, or creature to mend is a gift God has handed you today to show His glory.  Work is not part of Eden’s curse.  (Adam was naming animals before Eve even arrived.)  We were created to be creative—to produce and construct, to take the stuff of this earth and transform it into something more beautiful or useful. Sometimes that’s people.  Sometimes it’s products.  But all is God’s and is to be through Him, in Him, and for Him.  Even tasting the wine of a king.

Whatever your something to do is, do it well and you’ll be doing God’s will.
Happy Labor Day!