All in a Day's Work

Luke 3:7-18  NKJV
7 Then he said to the multitudes that came out to be baptized by him, “Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones. 9 And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”
10 So the people asked him, saying, “What shall we do then?”
11 He answered and said to them, “He who has two tunics, let him give to him who has none; and he who has food, let him do likewise.”
12 Then tax collectors also came to be baptized, and said to him, “Teacher, what shall we do?”
13 And he said to them, “Collect no more than what is appointed for you.”
14 Likewise the soldiers asked him, saying, “And what shall we do?”
So he said to them, “Do not intimidate anyone or accuse falsely, and be content with your wages.”
15 Now as the people were in expectation, and all reasoned in their hearts about John, whether he was the Christ or not, 16 John answered, saying to all, “I indeed baptize you with water; but One mightier than I is coming, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 17 His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather the wheat into His barn; but the chaff He will burn with unquenchable fire.”
18 And with many other exhortations he preached to the people.

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for sending John to prepare Your way.  Your earthly cousin proclaimed a heavenly message that resounds yet with conviction and relevance. 

William Barclay describes John's disposition this way:  "It was John's conviction that nowhere can a man serve God better than in his days' work" (In The Gospel of Luke, 1953, p. 30).

I need that message.  John addressed his audience of working people saying simply, "Repentance is an action."  Oh yes, he called people to a change of heart, but then he challenged them to demonstrate repentance with a reversal of life direction, an about face, a 180 degree turn.  "Give out of your plenty to those who have nothing.  Clothe the naked. Feed the hungry.  Engage in fair business practices.  Don't bully and intimidate others into submission.  Don't levy false charges upon the innocent.  Be content with your salary." 

Could John's message be more relevant for today?  In a world filled with contrasting excess and need, an absence of integrity, cruelty, control, character assassination, and covetousness, I need to hear a rugged message of repentance.

"Repentance is an action."

Help me to serve You today through my work.  I have appointments to keep, letters to write, phone calls to make, meetings to attend.  I have duties to perform for Your glory.  In my workday, convict me where I must reverse my direction.  Teach me the grace of humility that is the foundation of true repentance.  Teach me to make the simple proclamation, "I am wrong." 

"Repentance is an action." 

Thank You for the joy and fulfillment I find in working for You.  Thank You for a place to serve with purpose and intention.  Thank You for the privilege of serving alongside other people who make me better, not only in character, but also in service. 

Every day is a big day, a full day, a challenging day.  Empower me to serve You and others in a spirit of humility and servanthood today.

In the Name of my Creator who shaped me for His work,

Amen.