Bringing Nourishment
For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. Colossians 1:9-12
Insight
Trees have roots that dig deep, drawing nourishment and stability. They have branches that stretch out, bearing leaves, flowers, and eventually, fruit. This fruit isn't just for the tree itself; it provides nourishment and beauty to everything around it. What if we saw our daily lives in the same way?
Think about your daily demands—the morning commute, the emails, the meetings, the chores. It's easy to get lost in the routine and start seeing these tasks as mundane, something to just get through. But what if we saw each task, no matter how small, as an opportunity to bear fruit?
Colossians 3:23 says, "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters." This isn't just about being diligent; it's about transforming our perspective. When we approach our everyday tasks as "good work," we're inviting purpose into the mundane. We're saying, "This matters. This is where I can bear fruit."
How does that look in real life? Let's break it down.
Firstly, it's about mindset. Start your day by asking, "How can I bring beauty and nourishment into my world today?" Maybe it's through a kind word to a coworker, a thoughtful gesture to a family member, or simply doing your best at a task because you know it will make someone else's day easier. Each of these acts is like planting seeds that will grow into something beautiful.
Secondly, it's about presence. We live in a world that's constantly pulling us in a million directions. But bearing fruit requires us to be fully present where we are. When you're present, you're able to see the opportunities that God places in your path. You're able to notice the coworker who needs encouragement, the friend who needs a listening ear, or the neighbor who could use a helping hand.
Lastly, it's about trust. Trust that the small things matter. Trust that God is using your everyday actions to create something beautiful. Just as a tree doesn't see its fruit immediately, we might not always see the immediate impact of our efforts. But trust that the fruit will come.
So today, as you go about your tasks, remember this: You're not just checking off a to-do list. You're bearing fruit. You're bringing beauty and nourishment into the world. And that, my friends, is a good work worth doing.
Reflection
How might you approach your everyday demands as “good work”?
How might the potential to bring beauty and nourishment give vision for each day?
Prayer
Dear Lord, help me to see my daily tasks as opportunities to bear fruit for Your glory. Grant me the vision to bring beauty and nourishment into the world through my actions, and the strength to approach each day with purpose and presence. May my life reflect Your love and grace in all that I do. Amen.