Celebrating Key WorkersSample

Do you know what you are really good at? What you enjoy doing? Are you good at decorating? Good at caring for others? Good at offering hospitality to those who are alone? Are you a computer whizz? Do you love teaching or maybe counselling? Or maybe you are an amazing cook or a caring nurse? Whatever talents and skills you have—they are God’s gift to you. 

In Matthew 25, Jesus tells the parable of the talents, where faithful stewards who invest and use what they have been given are rewarded with more to invest and to use in His service. Immediately after this story, Jesus begins to teach about feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, welcoming the stranger and looking after the sick. Might the two be connected. 

Ephesians 2:10 adds that we are God’s workmanship—His masterpiece (in some translations)—and that God has prepared good works for us to do, for His glory! 

You are unique in God’s sight—you are a masterpiece! And He has blessed you with talents and skills that you can invest into the lives of others, especially those who are in need. 

Jesus even goes so far as to say that when we serve the "least" in our world, we’re doing it for Him! 

Colossians 3:23-24 echoes this truth—when we serve God with our skills in our everyday lives, we’re working FOR the Lord. When we serve God with our skills, whether at work, at home or at church, we are called to do so as if "working for the Lord," and reminded that God will see and reward us. 

As it says in Matthew 25:23, God longs to say to us, as it says in this parable... 

“Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!” 

Each week in the UK, millions of people gather each Thursday to clap for our key workers. Sunday 24th of May was Key Worker Sunday, where churches gathered virtually to thank God for our key workers, and to pray for them. Perhaps your perceptions of work that really matters have been altered during this season.

Reflect: What gifts and talents has God given you? How can you use these to bless others, not as a duty or chore, but as a response to the grace and love of God in your life?