Leaving behind a Good Name

Several years ago, Hillcrest Baptist Church made the decision to clean our facilities using our own members.  In the past, we had paid to have our facilities cleaned, but there were two reasons to make this change:  #1 - Financially, we just could no longer afford to pay someone to clean and #2 - A healthy pride in the cleanliness of our facilities.  We found that the paid janitorial staff would start out doing a good job of cleaning, but over time the quality would diminish.  We wanted our facilities to look as inviting and clean as possible, so members stepped up to clean the church.  We now have four team that clean, which means we clean once a month.  It would be nice to have more teams cleaning, but these four teams do a marvelous job.

This week, it is my team's turn to clean.  So first thing in the morning, I did my part of the cleaning.  I always enjoy that time, because I can pray for so many things going on in our church, our church family and in the ministry here.  My team cleans the week after Mitch and Cari Abbott's team has cleaned.  I always enjoy following them because they do such a marvelous job of cleaning the church.  It hardly looks used when I begin cleaning because of the job they did the week before.  Mitch and Cari do their best to honor God...by cleaning the church.  No one would know if they cut a few corners or didn't do the deep clean that they do.  That goes for all of our cleaning teams.  But they would know and they want to honor God in all they do.  So as I am cleaning and tempted to cut a few corners to get finished sooner, I have this incredible example right in front of my eyes.  So it keeps me focused on doing a good job.

In Colossians 3, Paul writes to the church and tells them, "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were  called to peace.  And be thankful.  Let the word of Christ dwell in your richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your heart to God."  He lays this foundation of a life lived joyfully towards Jesus.  Then, he ends wit  this, "And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him."  Amazing words by which we should live.

Whatever we do, we should do it in the name of the Lord.  Would Jesus be proud to have His name on what we have just done?  That term paper you had to write?  The way you treated your husband/wife this morning before you left for work?  The words you spoke to your child today?  The menial assignment your boss gave that was not utilizing your skill set very well?  The way you treated that hard-to-get-along-with person at work?  Cleaning your own house?  It is sobering to think that every task we undertake we will leave the name of Jesus on that task once it is completed.  So whether we are cleaning the church or singing the national anthem at the Super Bowl, let's honor the name of Jesus with the quality of our work!