Whatever you do or say...

¹⁶ Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. ¹⁷ And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father. Colossians 3:16-17

Sometimes I wonder if Paul is really serious... He tends to say some outrageous things. But when I look at Paul's life --- from being miraculously converted to being ridiculed, stoned, jailed, and probably martyred for the sake of the gospel of Christ... I'm sure he wasn't joking at all. He meant every single word he said.

When he says to do everything as a representative of the Lord Jesus, he means it. In fact, it's God speaking through him, encouraging us to live every moment with Christ in mind.

Is that really possible, though? Sometimes, maybe. But of the time? Hmph.

At work is where I struggle the most. There are so many action items and meetings and emails that I can easily get sucked into chaos of the day and lose my focus on Him. I fail to work to represent Jesus well, but, instead, I work to represent myself well. I selfishly choose to work to impress people and receive good feedback. And sadly, selfish mode is my default setting. But, day by day, I'm learning to be more consumed by my God than by my to-do list.

It's a learning process. But I strive to acknowledge my God at work. Acknowledging Him puts everything else in perspective. It reminds me that my duty as an ambassador for Christ is the foundation of my daily duties at work. And it moves me to give Him praise for my successes, instead of taking the credit myself.

I guess that's what Paul meant by "letting the message of Christ fill your lives." Let the gospel consume your life. It'll put everything in perspective.