-Paul, Ephesians 6:19-20 ESV
This verse hit home when I read it today in a book, on emotions, I am studying with friends. I have read it over and over, since then, in many different translations, to try and decide how I should directly apply it to my life. I think the question to me is this, what life am I giving or not giving with the words that come out of my mouth, in the places that the Lord has put me?
I have found myself recently wrestling with myself at work when I am short with a coworker, or even with a customer(the one I am there to serve)! The words, tone, praise, direction, and replies coming out of my mouth should be loving, caring, and compassionate. Who knows what life I am hindering from springing forth when I have a snappy reply to a half awake customer who I am paid to service. Who cares if they forgot to tell me that they didn't want whipped cream on their mocha after I had sent it to be made. It is such an easy fix, as well as others, that I find myself hung up on as I continue to interact with the customer, in sometimes an un-like-me manner recently. I have the JOY of the Lord and I am not letting it shine!
I have applied so many of the examples and questions in this book to my barista job, since that is where the Lord has me, interacting the most of the general public. It is so easy to be "life-giving" in our friend relationships, and when you don't it is something that can be corrected later in the time after time that you see them. But in my job I may never see each customer again, and I want them to see a light and a joy that IS mysterious and stems from the only truly life-giving Gospel of the One who can save their soul.
Please pray that I am joyfully serving those that the Lord has given me to serve, in and out of my daily job. I am the Gospel to these people. I have a hefty job. We have a hefty job as christians. Good thing we do not do it of our own accord!
