You know that feeling when you have an hour or two left at work, but all you want to do is call it a day? “Nothing can really get done in the time I have left! I should just go home.” But you’re a responsible employee so you just stay. That’s how this whole time of year can feel. There are parties, and celebration, and maybe presents in the very near future, but we’re not there yet. We still have time to get stuff done.
The desire to hide out and hibernate can be strong, but no time of year should go to waste, especially now. Paul says in Colossians 3:22-24, “obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. 23 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for people,24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.”
It's easy to slack off when your boss is a jerk, or you experience no difference between working hard and phoning it in. It is in times like this that we need to remember our ultimate purpose is to further the kingdom of God. We should be doing work as though we are working for the Lord. We all know people who do work just to be seen or people-pleasers who kiss-up to the boss to get ahead. God knows all our inmost thoughts and secrets so empty praise won’t impress him.
It is hard to stay motivated in a workplace when it feels like you’re just trading your time for money. But Christians have been called to work toward something much bigger than just getting ahead of our neighbors. We work for a heavenly reward. We work for a boss that truly loves us and wants the best for our lives. Put your efforts toward the things that matter. Don’t just wait out the end of the day.