Alive Youth Church Weekly
“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.”
— Colossians 3:23–24
I’ve been thinking about this verse a lot over the past week.
Because of the nature of my job, I get to talk with students all the time about just about everything; wins and losses, grades and school stress, family stuff, friendships, and the things nobody really wants to say out loud. And one thing I’ve started to notice is this: we all put different levels of importance on different parts of our lives.
Some things get our best effort.
Some things get whatever energy we have left.
And some things… well, they get the bare minimum.
I think back to my first semester of college. New place. New people. Fresh start. I was going to school in Phoenix, Arizona, and I promise you that sunshine did not help my desire to sit inside a classroom. When all you want to do is be outside, go explore, and meet people, focusing on homework feels a little less exciting.
The most important part of my day quickly became the people I was meeting. I was new. I wanted friends. I wanted to belong. I wanted to figure out where I fit. Because of that, school slowly slid down my priority list. Homework got less effort. Attendance started slipping. The things I used to care deeply about suddenly felt less urgent.
Now, quick caveat, I did graduate. I did learn. I actually ended up with pretty good grades. Somewhere along the way, I figured it out. But I tell that story because it’s a really good example of what it looks like to not give something your full effort. To not put your whole heart into your work. To not fully commit your responsibilities to the Lord.
And I could stop here and go on a long rant about the importance of school, doing your homework, turning things in on time, and being responsible. And even go on a rant about the importance of your priority first being your relationship with Jesus. And yes, those things matter. But honestly, that’s not the main issue.
The real issue is deeper than behavior.
It’s the heart.
Colossians doesn’t say, “Try your best when it’s convenient.”
It doesn’t say, “Work hard when someone’s watching.”
It doesn’t say, “Give effort only to the things that feel spiritual.”
It says, “Whatever you do.”
That’s a dangerous word because it includes everything.
Your schoolwork.
Your job.
Your attitude at home.
The way you treat your friends.
The group project you didn’t choose.
The class you don’t like.
The practice you don’t feel like going to.
Whatever you do.
And here’s the part we often miss: when we cut corners, give half-effort, or do the bare minimum, it’s not just about grades or consequences. It’s about who we believe we’re really working for.
But when we remember that we’re ultimately working for the Lord, even the small things take on new meaning.
Doing your work with your whole heart isn’t about being perfect.
It’s not about never struggling.
It’s not about always feeling motivated.
It’s about faithfulness.
It’s about choosing effort even when no one is clapping.
It’s about honoring God in the ordinary, everyday moments.
It’s about realizing that your life, right now, not someday, is reflecting Christ.
We are reflecting Christ in how we show up.
We are reflecting Christ in how we work.
We are reflecting Christ in how we treat what’s been placed in front of us.
And when we choose to give our whole heart, even in the things that feel small or boring, we turn ordinary moments into acts of worship.
So maybe the question isn’t, “Do I really have to care about this?”
Maybe the better question is, “What does it look like to honor God with this?”
Because whatever you do, you’re not just doing it for a grade, a coach, or a future resume.
You’re doing it for Him.
And that changes everything.
-Isaac Fehlen
Youth Pastor
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