Focus

Slow your breathing and become aware of the taking in and letting out of your breath. Focus on putting things aside so you will be open to what God is saying to you today.

Read

Colossians 3:18-4:1 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. 19 Husbands, love your wives and never treat them harshly.

Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is your acceptable duty in the Lord. Fathers, do not provoke your children, or they may lose heart. Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything, not only while being watched and in order to please them, but wholeheartedly, fearing the Lord.

Whatever your task, put yourselves into it, as done for the Lord and not for your masters, since you know that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward; you serve the Lord Christ. For the wrongdoer will be paid back for whatever wrong has been done, and there is no partiality.

Masters, treat your slaves justly and fairly, for you know that you also have a Master in heaven.

Reflect

“You’re not the boss of me.” Spend any amount of time around a 3 year old—or a 15 year old!—and you are likely to hear some variation of that sentiment.

I get it. We love our independence, and we love to feel as though we are in control.

But the truth is that none of us are as independent as we would like to believe we are. Move past the uncomfortable image of “master and slave,” or the prickly issue of husband and wife, and you’ll see a timeless truth: all of us are in a community of one type or anther, and someone else is the boss of you.

Students follow their teachers; players take direction from coaches; CEOs answer to stockholders and board members; pastors serve under the members of their session.

If we think that our particular station in life gives us a pass on integrity, or a “get out of work free” card, Paul says we should think again. None of us are so “high” or “low” on the totem pole that we’re exempt.

Whoever you are; whatever you do; wherever you find yourself in the pecking order: give it everything you’ve got. Work as though you are serving the Lord, because you are.

Pray

Lord, don’t let me get away with abusing
my power, my position, or my privilege.
If I have harmed people who are under my leadership,
show me how to atone for that sin.
If I have failed to do my work with integrity,
help me to do better.
Create in me a servant’s heart, Lord,
so that I can honor You in all I do.
Amen.

Go with God!