Morning Devotional 080825 What is Our Line of Work?

Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room

August 8, 2025

Isaiah 55:8-11

8 My plans aren’t your plans, nor are your ways my ways, says the LORD. 9 Just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my plans than your plans. 10 Just as the rain and the snow come down from the sky and don’t return there without watering the earth, making it conceive and yield plants and providing seed to the sower and food to the eater, 11 so is my word that comes from my mouth; it does not return to me empty. Instead, it does what I want, and accomplishes what I intend.

Good Morning! Each day is a new opportunity to serve God!

Yesterday morning, I read these words and felt compelled to share them with you. 

What Line of Business Are You In? BY REV. HYO J. LEE, PH.D., DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT 

Recently, I met several new people and, naturally curious, I asked them, “What do you do for a living?” One said, “I’m a pharmacist.” Another replied, “I’m a schoolteacher—I taught 5th grade for 49 years.” I said, “Wow!” Someone else shared, “I retired after working for the government.” It struck me how common it is to ask this question when meeting someone for the first time. We want to know what line of work they are in.

During my morning devotional time, I was reading John 8:1–11—a passage that is both powerful and sometimes debated, as some early manuscripts do not include it. It’s also a text that has often been referenced in conversations around justice and inclusion. But what struck me this time was this part: “Jesus straightened up and said to her, ‘Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?’ She said, ‘No one, sir.’ And Jesus said, ‘Neither do I condemn you. Go your way, and from now on do not sin again.’” (John 8:10–11, NRSVUE) 

Jesus, the only one without sin, was not in the business of condemning or judging. He was in the business of restoring, forgiving, and loving. That deeply convicted me. How often have I wasted time and energy on condemning, comparing, judging, or complaining? So I prayed, asking the Lord to help me be fully in the business of loving, forgiving, restoring, and uplifting others. 

May I ask: What business are you, your family, your committee, and your church in? And is that line of work pleasing to the Lord—or not? While much around us can stir anxiety, I pray that each of your days and hours will be filled with the joy and peace that come from God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. In the Lord’s grace,

Giving Lord, you bless us abundantly! O God, help us learn to answer your calling to love and serve one another. Thank you. We love you, Lord! In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen

Thought for the day: What line of work are you in? 

Aspire to pleasing God! Pastor Liz