“Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (I Corinthians 10:31 NKJV)
I remember senior students coming in for job interviews at a local university in past years, pre-pandemic of course. I was usually assigned a booth at a large conference room in the Student Center. Individuals would walk around, picking up literature and business cards from many tables and some actually accepted the invitation for an on-the-spot interview. Many impressive students came by. Some would wow you with their knowledge, as well as their interview prep, the quality of their resumes, and the fact that they actually took notes as they looked at you in your eyes, showing definite signs that they were actually being active listeners. Some students would wow you and some would worry you, not because of their grades, or the fact that they had not removed the tag from their dark, new suit; evidence that it was going to be returned the very next day, if not that afternoon because, it did not fit right for a flaw was found.” The old wear it to the prom, but keep the price tags attached, and don’t perspire was obviously passed on from someone from a past generation. Some would worry you because of the way they responded when you asked, “Do you have any questions for me?” And I have to admit, I did not like those students whose first question, right off the bat, was, “How much y’all pay?” I definitely was not impressed by the ones who responded to, “No, I don’t have any questions for me?”, by saying, “You’ve already answered them.” Really? Just a hint, have at least, a minimum of three questions if you ever interview again.
The questions posed by some potential candidates that caused me to put them on a “No Interest List,” were those who asked questions such as the following: “Do you have mandatory overtime?” “What would my hours be?” “What types of Paid Time Off Do you give?” “Do people in this position have to work on weekends or take work home during the week?” I would answer each of these questions with a smile, swiftly conclude the interview, and simply add their name to the “No Interest List, quickly, pronto, right away, immediately. You get the picture, right?
Since you get the picture, picture this that I am about to say. When you accepted Christ you accepted the job of being a kingdom builder. He was interested in you if you were interested in Him. Your resume was not important because He would revamp you, reshape you, rebuild you, and redefine your priorities. He did not have a “No Interest List,” only a “Not Yet Ready” list. He still has great opportunities for all who will come by faith. As far as hours, once you accept the opening, you start immediately. Training, being oriented in doctrine, educated in righteousness, and charged with doing kingdom building work all the time follows your acceptance of the one-of-a- kind opportunity. There are plenty or perks, but there is no time off in the kingdom. It is a 24/7 type of work. There are no vacation days accrued, and as far as Paid Time Off is concerned. You will receive that when you reach God’s celestial shores.
It is important to note that your work is not limited to the sanctuary on Sunday. And don’t be confused, while kingdom building work needs to be done on the church property as good stewards doing the week, that is not the extent of kingdom building work. Kingdom building work is not restricted to a certain day, date, or a defined place. Let me explain. When you are showing that you have been born again by the way you live in your household, that’s kingdom building work. Yes, you are witnessing to unbelievers or unconfessed or uncommitted kin folks, by the way you let the Christ come out into the open. When you show up at work and you are demonstrating what it means to be the light of the world and the salt of the earth, you are doing kingdom building work. When they see you at a special work meal and they surprisingly ask you to bless the food, and you comply without hesitation, you are doing kingdom building work. When you coach with compassion and not do not continuously criticize, that’s kingdom building work. The way you interact with others, the unpublished deeds you do to help the least of these or strangers, struggling at the supermarket, you are doing kingdom building work. When someone asks you about your church tee shirt, and you tell them, not about the building, but you tell them about the local body of baptized believers that you attend and the ministries happening at that place, you are doing kingdom building work. Let me tell you two things and let you go. Many people are doing kingdom building work that others never know about. Folks limited in their mobility or sheltered in their homes still do kingdom building work by phone, sending encouraging cars, and online. Thank God for each of the individuals that fit that category! And here’s the big one: Yes, y’all there are some benefits! The Lord will meet you, when your kingdom building days are over; greet you with a pleasant, pleasing, “Well done!” Have a great day! Be blessed!
“’His master said to him, ‘Well done, you good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a few things. I will make you ruler over many things. Enter the joy of your master.’” (Matthew 5:21 MEV)
Still committed to the climb,
Mark L. King