Daily Devotion: Enjoying Our Work

Scripture:
Genesis 1

Main Verse:
Genesis 1: 31
God saw all that he had made, and it was very good.

Observation:
God Himself showed us how we can enjoy our work. First, He created everything not just because He wanted to create something out of nothing, but because God wanted man to bear God's divine image, share in His authority, and enjoy his gifts of creation and life (vv. 26-28). God also worked in an organized manner. The earth was "formless, empty, and dark," (v. 2), so God created light first. Then God created everything that man needs to survive before He finally created man. Lastly, He knew how to enjoy the fruits of his labor. After creating light, the sky, land, the sun, moon, and stars, and every living creature on earth, the Lord said "It was good." He appreciated all that He made and finally said "very good" at the end.

Application:
We can learn three things about work from God in the first chapter of Genesis.

1. We must work with a purpose - God's purpose was to reveal His power and divine nature to His creations. When we work, we should think about how we can help and serve others.

2. We must work in a systematic way - God created everything with a plan. When we work, we must work in an organized way. Know which one you should finish first, what's next and what's last. We must also set aside a time for rest.

3. We must learn to appreciate our work - God enjoyed His creations. He liked everything that He did and said "it was good." Who else will appreciate our work but ourselves? When we know how to appreciate our work, we can avoid being burned out.

Prayer:
Father, thank you for every job opportunity that you have given me. Thank you for giving me hands that can work. Develop in me an appreciative attitude, and may I be able to serve others when I work. AMEN.