REMEMBERING MY FATHER

Remembering My Father

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord.

Colossians 3:23

READ JOB 38:1–11

When I remember my dad, I picture him best outdoors hammering or gardening or downstairs working in his cluttered workroom, stuffed with fascinating tools and gadgets. His hands were always busy at a task or project—sometimes building (a garage or a deck or a birdhouse), sometimes locksmithing, and sometimes designing jewelry and stained-glass art.

Remembering my dad prompts me to think of my heavenly Father and Creator, who has always been busy at work. In the beginning, “[God] laid the earth’s foundations . . . [and] marked off its dimensions . . . while the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy” (Job 38:4-7). Everything He created was a work of art, a masterpiece. He designed a breathtakingly beautiful world and pronounced it “very good” (Genesis 1:31).

That includes you and me. God designed us in intimate and intricate detail (Psalm 139:13-16); and He entrusted us with and instilled in us (His image bearers) the goal and desire to work, which includes ruling and caring for the Earth and its creatures (Genesis 1:26-28; 2:15). No matter the work we do—in our job or in our leisure—God empowers and gives us what we need to work wholeheartedly for Him.

In everything we do, may we do it to please Him.

By Alyson Kieda

REFLECT & PRAY

Dear God, thank You for equipping us to do the work You’ve called us to do.

What has God worked out in your life recently? How does it change your view of even mundane tasks to see them as opportunities to serve and honor Him?

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INSIGHT

Throughout the Old Testament, the whirlwind (or storm) is connected to God’s powerful presence (2 Kings 2:1-11; Psalm 77:18; Nahum 1:3; Ezekiel 1:4; Jeremiah 4:13). In Job 38:1, God dramatically speaks out of a whirlwind (nlt, esv) and then gives two speeches, each followed by a brief answer from Job. In His first discourse, God asks Job if he knows how the vast creation and its myriad creatures came to be and how they are governed and cared for (38:1-40:2). Job, now clearly aware of his ignorance, pledges to be silent and covers his mouth (40:3-5). Yet Job has the assurance that God has not abandoned him. The all-wise, almighty, yet inscrutable Father who created and lovingly cares for His creation heard Job’s cries and spoke to him. Alyson Kieda