Working for who?

This is only my second post for two reasons; one I forgot how to log back on and two I haven't felt inspired to write until now. I am a working mother and have the blessing of having summers off. I forgot how important that was too me until this summer, since I have been contemplating getting out of my current field. My job starts back next week and I have mixed emotions, which is probably the reason for my not so great mood lately. I was reading articles connected to one of my favorite websites that I use for church and came across this verse.

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord and not for men." Colossians 3:23

How true it is that we should do everything to glorify our God and not to please others. For as long as I can remember I have sought others approval to whether something I have done was good or not. This is also true in my work. I look towards supervisors or colleagues to see if what I'm doing is correct or "good". I let the view of others determine how effective my work is, which can be hard when your area is not an area that is deemed equal or as important as other areas. In the end I am left unsatisfied and wondering what is wrong with me.

The purpose for everything we do should be to honor and glorify God and help increase the Kingdom. If we did our work for our Creator and not for the approval of men then how much more fulfilled would we be and better yet how much more Glory can be given to our Heavenly Father. We miss the boat and sell ourselves short when how we feel about ourselves depends solely on the response of others. I know that is easily said but hard to internalize. It's a battle I have fought with my entire life. The key difference is now I have a faith in God that tells me where I can look when I need to know if what I have done is successful.

Judges 18:5 says "Then they said to him, 'Please inquire of God to learn whether our journey will be successful.'"

I pray that my work this year be the work that God wants me to accomplish!