Seeing God in Our Stories and Work

 

Summary

In our journey through life, each of us carries a unique story, a narrative that is deeply significant to God. This week, Nancy and I are reflecting on the theme of stories, particularly focusing on how we can see God at work in our daily lives. Our stories, though not always what we envision, are opportunities to witness God's presence and purpose. Today, we delve into the realm of work, exploring how our labor can be an act of worship when done with a heart for the Lord.

The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Corinthians, encourages us to work wholeheartedly as if serving the Lord, not merely human masters. This perspective transforms our daily tasks into sacred acts, aligning our efforts with divine purpose. Nancy shared a poignant story from her days as an emergency room nurse, where a Christ-following doctor exemplified this principle. His leadership was not just about medical expertise but about valuing every team member, including those often overlooked, like the housekeeping staff. This doctor taught that recognizing the worth of every individual is a profound expression of the gospel.

The challenge for us is to notice those around us, especially those who might be invisible in the hustle of life. Jesus consistently noticed and valued people others ignored, setting an example for us to follow. By acknowledging the stories of others, we participate in God's work, making their stories a little brighter. This week, let's commit to seeing and valuing the people in our lives, understanding that everyone has a story that matters to God.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Significance of Our Stories: Each person's story is unique and significant to God. Our narratives, though not always what we desire, are opportunities to see God's hand at work. By paying attention to our lives, we can discern God's presence and purpose in our daily experiences. [01:55]

2. Work as Worship: The Apostle Paul teaches us to work with all our hearts as if serving the Lord. This transforms our labor into an act of worship, aligning our efforts with divine purpose. When we approach work with this mindset, we find fulfillment and meaning beyond human recognition. [02:40]

3. Valuing Every Individual: The story of the Christ-following doctor illustrates the importance of recognizing the worth of every person, regardless of their role. By valuing each team member, he demonstrated the gospel in action, teaching us to see and appreciate those who might be overlooked. [06:18]

4. Noticing the Overlooked: Jesus consistently noticed and valued people others ignored. We are called to follow His example by acknowledging the stories of those around us, especially those who might be invisible in the hustle of life. This act of noticing is a profound expression of love and inclusion. [07:47]

5. Connecting Through Stories: By looking into the eyes of others and learning their stories, we create connections that reflect God's love. This practice reminds us that we are not alone and that everyone has a story that matters. Our interactions can make a significant impact on the lives of others. [08:42]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [01:12] - Secret Location in Montana
- [01:40] - Seeing God in Our Stories
- [02:08] - Work as Worship
- [03:11] - Paying Attention to Our Stories
- [03:36] - Story from the Emergency Room
- [04:30] - The Doctor's Leadership
- [05:11] - Noticing the Housekeeping Staff
- [06:18] - Valuing Every Team Member
- [07:12] - The Gospel in Action
- [07:47] - Noticing the Overlooked
- [08:42] - Connecting Through Stories
- [09:24] - Making a Difference in Others' Stories
- [09:39] - Invitation to Share Your Story
- [10:07] - Community and Connection

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Colossians 3:23-24: "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving."

Observation Questions:
1. What does the Apostle Paul instruct us to do in Colossians 3:23-24 regarding our work? How does this relate to the sermon’s theme of work as worship? [02:40]
2. In the sermon, Nancy shared a story about a doctor who valued every team member. What specific actions did the doctor take to demonstrate this value? [06:18]
3. How did Jesus exemplify the act of noticing and valuing people who were often overlooked, according to the sermon? [07:47]

Interpretation Questions:
1. How does viewing work as an act of worship change the way one might approach their daily tasks? Consider the implications of Colossians 3:23-24 in this context. [02:40]
2. Why is it significant that the doctor in Nancy’s story knew personal details about the housekeeping staff? What does this teach us about the gospel in action? [06:18]
3. What might be the impact on a community if everyone followed Jesus’ example of noticing and valuing the overlooked? How does this reflect God’s love? [07:47]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current work or daily tasks. How can you begin to view them as acts of worship? What specific changes can you make to align your work with serving the Lord? [02:40]
2. Think of someone in your workplace or community who might feel overlooked. What is one practical step you can take this week to acknowledge and value their contribution? [06:18]
3. Jesus noticed those who were often ignored. Identify one person in your life who might feel invisible. How can you intentionally make them feel seen and valued this week? [07:47]
4. The doctor in Nancy’s story knew personal details about his team. How can you make an effort to learn more about the people you interact with regularly? What questions could you ask to show genuine interest? [06:18]
5. Consider a time when someone made you feel valued and included. How did that impact you? How can you replicate that experience for someone else in your community? [08:42]
6. How can you remind yourself to notice the stories of others in your daily interactions? What practical reminders or habits can you implement to help you stay focused on this goal? [08:42]
7. Reflect on the idea that everyone has a story that matters to God. How does this perspective change the way you view your own story and the stories of those around you? [08:42]

Devotional

Day 1: The Divine Significance of Our Stories
Each person's life story is a unique narrative that holds deep significance to God. These stories, though they may not always align with our personal desires, are opportunities to witness God's presence and purpose in our lives. By paying attention to the details of our daily experiences, we can discern how God is at work, shaping and guiding us. This perspective encourages us to embrace our stories, recognizing them as sacred and meaningful. [01:55]

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." (Jeremiah 29:11, ESV)

Reflection: Think about a recent event in your life that didn't go as planned. How might God be using this part of your story for a greater purpose?


Day 2: Transforming Work into Worship
The Apostle Paul teaches that our work should be done wholeheartedly, as if serving the Lord rather than human masters. This mindset transforms our labor into an act of worship, aligning our efforts with divine purpose. When we approach our daily tasks with this perspective, we find fulfillment and meaning that transcends human recognition. This transformation invites us to see our work as a sacred offering to God, enriching our spiritual journey. [02:40]

"Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ." (Colossians 3:23-24, ESV)

Reflection: Consider your current job or daily responsibilities. How can you intentionally approach them as acts of worship this week?


Day 3: Recognizing the Worth of Every Individual
The story of a Christ-following doctor illustrates the importance of valuing every person, regardless of their role. By recognizing the worth of each team member, he demonstrated the gospel in action, teaching us to appreciate those who might be overlooked. This principle challenges us to see the inherent value in every individual, reflecting God's love and compassion in our interactions. [06:18]

"Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves." (Philippians 2:3, ESV)

Reflection: Identify someone in your life who may feel overlooked or undervalued. How can you show them their worth and significance today?


Day 4: Noticing the Overlooked
Jesus consistently noticed and valued people whom others ignored, setting an example for us to follow. We are called to acknowledge the stories of those around us, especially those who might be invisible in the hustle of life. This act of noticing is a profound expression of love and inclusion, inviting us to participate in God's work by making others' stories a little brighter. [07:47]

"Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute. Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy." (Proverbs 31:8-9, ESV)

Reflection: Who in your community or workplace might be feeling invisible? What practical steps can you take to acknowledge and value their presence?


Day 5: Connecting Through Stories
By engaging with the stories of others, we create connections that reflect God's love. This practice reminds us that we are not alone and that everyone has a story that matters. Our interactions can have a significant impact on the lives of others, fostering a sense of community and belonging. By looking into the eyes of others and learning their stories, we participate in a divine tapestry of connection and love. [08:42]

"Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight." (Romans 12:15-16, ESV)

Reflection: Think of someone whose story you haven't taken the time to learn. How can you reach out to them this week to build a meaningful connection?

Quotes


everybody gets a story nobody gets the story they want but everybody's story matters uniquely to God and you do so actually this week our story is how I Spent My Summer Vacation Nancy and I are at a secret location in Boseman Montana I don't know how secret it is and uh we're actually at a camp with um our friends Jimmy and Andrea and um I slept really late this morning you looked over at the bed and said you thought there was a lump in it [00:01:00]

Frederick wner has a wonderful line where he talks about the need to pay attention to your life because God is speaking through our actual Liv lives and as we think about our stories for this week it's learning how do I see God um present and at work in the story of this day in different areas of life and uh today it's about work yes and and Nats many gats yeah there's going to be nets all week long so just got to live with the gats [00:01:55]

when Paul's writing to the church at Corinth he talks about um uh work not just when uh in that context he was talking to Servant slaves when your Master's eyes is on you be for any of us we could apply this uh and to please people but with whole with a whole heart and reverence for the Lord whatever you do work at it with all your heart as working for the Lord and not for human Masters since you know you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward [00:02:40]

I think sometimes when you pay attention to your story you'll see gaps you'll see what in which you really are living out the gospel you'll see ways that other people are living out the gospel that speaks to you and years ago I was an emergency room nurse I really loved my job um and down in the emergency room you work with a core team of people that you know but you there's always other people coming in and out helping that you don't know [00:03:36]

I remember one night late at night in the emergency room we were working with uh one of the doctors who happened to be a Christ follower and he was just terrific every time you worked with him you felt like I'm on a team I'm part of something important um during a code if there was an appropriate time he would ask people questions about what they should do next what he should do next and it was really all in teaching [00:04:30]

he would look at people's name tags when Radiology came down or respiratory therapy was there and call People by name and just made us all feel like we were as important as he was to the outcome of this patient and that same night late at night we had a young person come in 24 year-old and didn't know for 3 or 4 hours if we were going to be sending this person up to the ICU to recover or down to the morg [00:06:18]

in fact I remember at one point during the code he just stopped and looked at us all and he said we will save her like okay okay um and when we got done and the nurses with all the equipment and the tubes took her up to the ICU and housekeeping came into clean and I was finishing charting and back in those days it was still by hand and the doctor was de briefing with the intern and he was asking him questions [00:07:12]

why do you think I ran the blood gases here why do you think I push this medicine here why did we put a chest tube in at this point and at one point he stopped and he said to the intern um did you notice the guy from housekeeping and I was done charting and I remember I just kept moving my finger like I was still writing cuz there was no way I was going to miss the next part of this conversation [00:07:47]

and you could tell by the look on the intern's face that not only had he not notied the guy he was quite confused as to why he was being asked this nonmedical question and then the doctor seeing that response repeated his question did you notice the guy from housekeeping finally the intern shook his head and the doctor said well the housekeeping Department here is really critical when we're in the middle of a code [00:08:42]

there is equipment and papers and all tubes on the floor and fluids and they come in they clean it up so that we don't trip they put things back so that we can access them when we need them they're really an important part of our team and again the intern nothing on his face and then my doctor said with a lot of city um the guy who was in here today he's probably the best on the housekeeping team his name is Carlos [00:09:24]

his wife's name is Maria they have four children they came from Mexico 3 years ago on a green card he named their children and their kids ages and then he said uh Carlos and Maria live in an apartment in Santa Ana a couple miles from here and then again with no response from the intern my doctor said I see on the schedule that we're working together next Tuesday night I have one assignment for you [00:09:39]

I want you to come prepared to tell me something about Carlos that I don't already know then he slapped him on the shoulder and said good night walked out was like what did I just see just such incredible leadership that obviously he's the doctor at the helm of all this and along with medical knowledge what he wanted to pass on to the intern was this is how you treat people and you make everybody on the team feel important [00:10:07]

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?