Sadly, there are many individuals and workplaces today that view “work” as a punishment by God because Adam and Eve sinned. Some view work as an unavoidable necessity to be fulfilled with minimal effort. While others view work as their way to obtain wealth, status, or comforts. Thank the Lord not everyone views work this way, not the incredibly dedicated staff of Bethesda-by-the-Sea!
We are so blessed to have such an amazing staff serving the parish and community of Bethesda. Some staff members have been here for many years, some for a short time, and several have recently changed positions and responsibilities. Therefore, it is my great pleasure to introduce to you the Bethesda staff. Click here to see a list of the staff names and titles: BBTS Staff 2023
What a joy it is for me to be surrounded by colleagues who understand that the Bible portrays work as something beneficial and productive, even creative. Scripture tells us that God himself creates, forms, builds, and plants. We read in Genesis, “On the seventh day [God] rested from all his work,” and the Apostle Paul urged believers to “respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work”.
We ALL must remember these truths from scripture regarding “work:”
- We ALL have “work” to do. Our work might take place on a job site, in an office, or at our kitchen table. We may travel every day or never leave the house. No matter what season of life you are in, you have work to do.
- We must give our best to the work we do. In Ecclesiastes 9:10 we are told, “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might.”
- We must use our area of work to reach the lost and to honor the Lord. In Colossians 3:23-24 we are told, “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.”
The Lord is calling every one of us to work. The work he calls us to will take many forms and may look different every day, but we are to give our best to that work and use that work to honor the Lord and spread the gospel of Jesus Christ.
As the saying goes, “if you do something you love, you will never work a day in your life.” If I apply this to myself, then I can truly say I have not worked a day since joining the Bethesda staff! I so deeply love being a part of the staff, being led by Father Tim, serving such a wonderful parish, and being a part of the Bethesda community. It is indeed a great joy for me to serve the Lord here at Bethesda.
My prayer is that we may all, every day, love the work we do for the Lord. And that work would impact our us, our families, our community, and the parish of Bethesda-by-the-Sea for Jesus Christ.
Blessings,
Joseph Sanelli
Parish Administrator