"And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men." — Colossians 3:23
Whether I am addressing a conference of hundreds or handing a certificate to a single student, I have one audience.
Not the crowd. Not the camera. Not the organizers who invited me or the critics who will review me.
The Lord.
Paul wrote these words to slaves. Let that sink in. People whose work was forced, unappreciated, and invisible. And he told them: work as if God is your boss. Because He is.
If that is true for slaves, how much more for those of us who GET to do ministry? How much more for those of us who stand on stages by invitation, not by compulsion?
Excellence is worship. Preparation is prayer. Showing up early, knowing your material, honoring the people who came to listen — these are not professional skills. They are spiritual disciplines.
I have watched ministers phone it in. I have seen the glazed eyes, the recycled sermons, the 'I am doing God a favor by being here' attitude. And I have decided: that will never be me.
Not because I am better. Because I remember who I am serving.
When you do it heartily, as to the Lord, something shifts. The small tasks become sacred. The invisible work becomes worship. The stage and the broom closet become the same holy ground.
Men may not notice. Men may not applaud. Men may not even remember your name. But heaven keeps perfect records.
Do it heartily. Do it as to the Lord. Let men be an afterthought.
I am serving the Lord.
You are serving the Lord.
We are serving the Lord.