"Do ALL Things as Unto the Lord"

Colossians 3:23-25 

"Servants, do what you’re told by your earthly masters. And don’t just do the minimum that will get you by. Do your best. Work from the heart for your real Master, for God, confident that you’ll get paid in full when you come into your inheritance. Keep in mind always that the ultimate Master you’re serving is Christ. The sullen servant who does shoddy work will be held responsible. Being a follower of Jesus doesn’t cover up bad work." - The Message Version

Physical Update: (fyi:not nearly as exciting as the spiritual!)

​Here we are at Day 52 of this new journey.
I will try my best to explain what has been happening with all of this without taking all day 😊
When I started this journey on Jan 1st:

• -weighed in at 127 and was just about to have to go up a size in my pants.
• -I was feeling ‘not well’ for 3 months – chronic health issues worsening daily it seemed- - I had been under conviction for over 6 months about getting my eating habits under control (thus, the spiritual part of the journey 😊)

 
On Day 52:

• 7 pounds down and comfortably in my pants again
• I am still not feeling as ‘well’ as I was last summer, but I just had my Rheumatology visit and found that my thyroid issue has worsened. THIS is probably a big part of my issue and hoping my new dosage will have me feeling better soon.
• It sure feels nice not be under conviction (in this area anyway. 😊)

 
I will start by saying that my intentions were never to be 100% no sugar, no bad, no fun. Who can do that? All that would do for this girl is make me hate myself for messing up. I am not as into that as I used to be!
I’m loving myself a little better these days and trying to give myself grace to not be perfect. I have an amazing Father, who gives grace to me and is trying to teach me to accept it. I may be a slow learner, but I eventually get it.
It feels so sweet when I finally understand what He is trying to teach me, that I to wonder why in the world did it take so long?! If I could’ve only seen what He had for me. 😊

Okay…I got a little off track, but back to the HOW DID I DO part:

• Feb 1- 9th, I will say I was probably around 90+% healthy- which is a WIN in my book!
• Feb 10th – today, I’ve probably been around 80% on track- smaller win, but still a win!

I am such an analytical mind that I function well with routine and lists to keep on tract. I was thrown off my game, but it was for the best reason ever and I wouldn’t change it at all! You see, James & I were able to go visit Tara, Collins & Derek for Tara’s birthday weekend! If I had gained 5 lbs., seeing and visiting with them would have been worth it! Tara was such a wonderful host (way better than I am!) and made meals that I could have easily made healthier, but I just enjoyed the splurge…like buns & chips with my grilled burger and some home made mashed potatoes with a wonderful roast she made.
 
So that was the PHYSICAL part, but just look at the amazing SPIRITUAL stuff He is showing me!

​Spiritual Update: (the good stuff!)

When this journey started, it was to be a LIFE CHANGE in healthy habits as well as an act of obedience.

My mama always lived, exampled and challenged us to “…do ALL things as unto the Lord.” 
“Whatever you do, do it enthusiastically,[a] as something done for the Lord and not for men, 24 knowing that you will receive the reward of an inheritance from the Lord. You serve the Lord Christ” - Colossians 3:23,24 HCSB

 I want to show you what I feel this verse is saying to me from The Message translation:

“Servants, do what you’re told by your earthly masters. And don’t just do the minimum that will get you by. Do your best. Work from the heart for your real Master, for God, confident that you’ll get paid in full when you come into your inheritance. Keep in mind always that the ultimate Master you’re serving is Christ. The sullen servant who does shoddy work will be held responsible. Being a follower of Jesus doesn’t cover up bad work.”
 
Now I know this verse was not put in the Bible to tell us to eat right and be health-minded. I absolutely know that, BUT I also know that God can speak to ME from any verse He chooses, regardless of what the original intention was 😊

The origination of this verse was Paul writing back to the churches he had previously planted, taught and mentored. This verse was to say that ALL people are equal in God’s eyes, but that does not negate the authority of the ones in charge over you daily.

This passage was referring to slaves were still to work for their masters/owners (modern day employee/employer relationship) because that was where they were, just as Paul was in prison.

We are to be an ambassador for the Lord in everything we do. That is the main point!

Here's the light-bulb moment I had when I read The Message version this morning:
“Servant, DO WHAT YOU ARE TOLD by your earthly masters”

• I consider myself a servant to Christ now
• Do what you are told- that stood out because HE told me to do this
• “by your earthly masters”
  • now this part of the verse made me ask “who is my earthly master?” I am essentially self-employed.
  • The verse says ‘earthly’ master…. after meditating over it a bit, I think this is ME & MY WILL or what the devil has made me believe as the ‘world’s master’ today.
  • In the physical health area, what was my ‘earthly master’ saying?? Mine seemed to be saying…all is well! Eat up & be happy! If it tastes good, eat it! Enjoy food because you don’t have any ‘bad’ vices like alcohol, drugs, sex….so eat & enjoy!!
  • Hmmm….and all the while, the sugar, chemicals & junk were making me sicker & sicker by the day. WOW! I bought right into that lie because it made me sound OK!

"… And don’t just do the minimum that will get you by. Do your best. Work from the heart for your real Master, for God, confident that you’ll get paid in full when you come into your inheritance. Keep in mind always that the ultimate Master you’re serving is Christ…"

• DO your BEST in everything you do! Don’t waste time trying to do only what you think will be enough! Who wins in that?!
• God promises us here & many other scriptures …. Work with Me & your reward will be greater than you can imagine…here or there, but way better! Just trust Me in this!
• Even in your eating, exercise, medicines, Sheila, remember it is ME you are doing this for, not the approval of others. YES!!

              “…The sullen servant who does shoddy work will be held responsible. Being a follower of Jesus doesn’t cover up bad work.”

• SULLEN Servant…WHOA! I read this and thought…” if you begrudge the task I gave you and do only what you think I want to be able to say, ‘I was obedient’…. you missed it!
• OUCH! Being a follower of Jesus DOESN’T cover up bad work!?! Think about that. If I am mediocre in the way I live for Him, serve Him, share Him…in my WHOLE LIFE, not only does that not get covered up, it exposes to others that Jesus in my life does not make much difference! (insert big eyes here)
• God asks me to look at my health and to be learning how to ‘rest, restore, & strengthen” so that I will be able to endure the long haul with Him.

This little life verse, that I only quoted a portion of for so long, spoke in a whole new way today!

Digging in God’s Word ALWAYS leads to treasure!