A WORD FOR TODAY, May 15, 2026
Peggy Hoppes
We pray you are blessed by this daily devotion.
Blessings. Peg
A WORD FOR TODAY, May 15, 2026
“And whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.” Colossians 3:23-24, WEB
I recently read a quote that has been attributed to several different people, though no one really knows the origin. The particular meme quoted Marco Pierre White, an English chef, restaurateur, and television personality. He is known for training some of today’s most well-known chefs like Gordon Ramsey, Mario Batali, and Curtis Stone. Most online sources suggest that it was first said by St. Francis of Assisi, which is possible, though many experts reject the accreditation. The quote says, “He who works with his hands is a laborer. He who works with his hands and his head is a craftsman. He who works with his hands and his head and his heart is an artist.” The meme from Chef White added, “Be an artist.”
When I read this quote, I wondered how it might be reworded to fit our Christian faith. I’m not sure I can do three levels, but we are definitely meant to use more than our hands and our heads as we live our faith in the world. It is good to do labor that makes a difference in the world, to share love with our neighbors in need. It is good to use our heads to use our resources in the best way possible; to be good stewards of the gifts God has given us. But ultimately, God calls us in our faith to be more: He calls us to be disciples, putting our hands, minds, and hearts into our Christian lives.
We deserve nothing, and yet the Lord God Almighty loves us with a love we can never fully comprehend. We were sinners, enemies of God but He sent His Son to be our Savior. Jesus left the riches and glory of heaven to take upon Himself the wrath of God so that we might inherit the riches and glory of heaven with Him. We don t deserve a mansion, a feast or a crown, but thanks to the mercy and grace of our Lord Jesus, we will receive all this and more. We do not earn anything due to our hard work or smart thinking. Nothing we do will ever be enough to gain the gifts God offers to us through Jesus.
However, the scriptures are clear: those who serve the Lord with our hands, heads, and minds receive an inheritance we cannot imagine. We will even be honored at the gates of the city! As disciples of Jesus, there is nothing we can do to deserve His grace, but we do it all in thanksgiving and praise for that which He has done for us. He loves us so much that He has fulfilled His promises of salvation, hope, and peace. That is indeed the greatest reward, the inheritance we have received and which we long to know fully as we will on that great day when we will feast with Him in eternity. This is the reason we give our hands, heads, and hearts in discipleship, to glorify Him in all we do.
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