I have spent my time in jobs that bored me, heading nowhere.

I have stood at the foot of a laundry mountain — wiped a thousand noses and tears, wondering if it all made any difference.

I have agonized over what I was born to do.

The world screams Be somebody. Do something you love. Do work that matters.

The voice of God whispers something else:

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).

Whatever you do.

This verse is the cure for wondering when our life will begin — for late nights worrying about fulfilling our purpose. This verse is the answer to boredom or jealousy or discontent with our place and position.

The substance of our work is never sacred. There is no sanctity in schedule or title, no holiness in success over failure, in fiery passion over quiet dedication.

The recipient of our work is what makes it righteous — what makes it true. Creation brings Him as much glory in the routine as the remarkable — as much praise from a cell as the sunset. The meaning lies not in the action, but the object.

Our work does not redeem us. God redeems our work.

Our life is now, and our work is on level ground with all others in its ability to bring glory to the Father through our service to the Son.

Wife, husband, child, parent, slave (Colossians 3:17-22).

Changing diapers, waiting tables, selling widgets, warming up a cubicle.

Whatever you do.

If we are serving the Son, we have found our purpose. If we are serving the Son, we are doing what we were made to do.

The Lord Christ is the recipient of our work.

The Lord Christ is the reward of our work.

The Lord Christ is the reason our work will last.

May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us — yes, establish the work of our hands (Psalm 90:16-17).