"Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen."
— 1 Pedro 4:10-11
Monday is a day of new beginnings for many of us. The night has passed, the weekend is behind us, and now we face five days full of possibilities. But we don't always remember that each new day is not just a series of tasks to complete — it's an opportunity to live out our deepest purpose. What you choose to do with your time, your talents, and your energy reveals much about what you truly believe. And today, God wants to remind you of something essential: you don't work just to pay bills or earn promotions. You work as an expression of your faith.
Peter writes to persecuted Christians, people facing brutal opposition for their faith. Even in that devastating context, he doesn't ask them to flee or hide. Instead, he invites them to serve with excellence — not despite the difficulties, but through them. Every gift you possess, every ability God has planted in you, is a sacred present. It's not accidental. You're good at something because God designed it that way. This isn't vanity; it's recognition of God's generosity.
The beauty of this message lies in its inclusivity. Peter makes no distinction between religious ministry and secular work. There is no hierarchy of holiness in his vision. The pastor preaching from the pulpit and the nurse working the night shift, the entrepreneur creating opportunities and the salesperson serving with patience — all are fulfilling ministry. All are stewards of God's gifts. When you work with excellence, when you treat people with dignity, when you give your best, you are participating in Christ's redemptive work. You are telling the world that God matters, that quality matters, that people matter.
But there is a crucial secret here: this excellence cannot come from your own strength. Verse 11 makes it clear — "with the strength God provides." You don't work on your own. The strength you use today comes from God. This changes everything. It means that when you reach the end of this day exhausted, you can rest knowing you've done all you could with the strength provided to you. It means that in the moment you feel inadequate or weary, you can cry out to the Father and receive renewal. It means your purpose doesn't depend on you alone.