I went to a farmers’ market in an affluent city. Amongst the curated shops, interesting restaurants, and beautiful landscaping, were custom tents selling macarons, crepes, coffee, juice, and many other items. If you were to walk outside of the farmers market area, you would quickly find yourself in exclusive enclaves of luxury townhomes and executive mansions.
Imagine my surprise when I visited the public restroom, and it looked like what I imagine a prison cell bathroom to look like. This restroom was the definition of giving up. I could just imagine a government committee throwing up their hands, saying the city will never be able to keep the public restroom clean, and therefore designing this stainless-steel and concrete cave of despair. There were not even seats on the toilets! Just stainless-steel bowls that were shaped slightly wider to give the illusion of a seat. I have no idea how the woman in the stall next to me managed the situation with her daughters. I’m surprised the girls didn’t slip into the water. The stalls were a mess of smeared fingerprints, and the sinks were the same. I noticed a lone broom and dustpan in the corner as I left. This city could have done so much better.
How do I know we need to aim higher than the low water mark of this restroom? Let’s see what the Bible has to say about making our best plans, trying our best, creating beauty, serving others, putting others ahead of ourselves, and respecting people because we are the image bearers of God.
We are supposed to try our best in whatever work we do.
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Colossians 3:23-24
We should create things of beauty.
He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. Ecclesiastes 3:11
Look at how beautiful God’s creation is! In Matthew 6, Jesus is telling us to consider the lilies of the field, grass, and birds. God clothes them and cares for them. He’s telling us this so that we won’t be anxious. What care God gave when designing everything, even the smallest and seemingly insignificant things!
We should serve others and put others ahead of ourselves. We should have all our work be as work unto the Lord. Serve others as if we are serving Jesus.
Rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man, knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free. Ephesians 6:7-8
For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me. Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me. Matthew 25:35-40
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Philippians 2:3-4
We should plan and design things that respect people, because people are the image bearers of Christ.
Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”
So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. Genesis 1:26-27
Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. 1 John 4:7-8
Fellow Christians, go and create something beautiful for God. Do you remember when ladies’ restrooms had plush couches, complementary mouthwash, and attendants who handed out towels and mints? If you ever rent a condo or home in Sea Pines on Hilton Head Island, visit their beach club. There is a restroom for use when you’re on the beach or dining on the outdoor deck. The restroom is as nice as it would be in someone’s home. Even though sand gets tracked through, there are travertine tile floors, artwork on the walls, faux flower arrangements, and every nice finish on the sinks, stalls, etc. Let’s aim high, Christians. If you are reading this and don’t know if you have a personal relationship with Jesus, I invite you to accept Jesus into your heart today. He loves you and is waiting for you to accept him as your savior. We are ALL sinners in need of a savior, the one true God. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 Ask Jesus to forgive you for your sins and accept Jesus into your heart today. Then join a Bible believing church, one that believes the entire Bible, not just bits and pieces of it. “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,” 2 Timothy 3:16