hey there and welcome to today's encouragement from our daily bread our reading titled A labor of love was written by kimya Lauder
 dr. Rebecca Lee Crumpler was the first African American woman to earn a medical degree yet during her lifetime she recalls being ignored slighted and rendered insignificant however she remained devoted to healing and fulfilling her purpose Crumpler a firm that although some people might choose to judge her based on her race and gender should always have a renewed and courageous Readiness to go whenever and wherever duty calls and that she did she believe that treating women and children and providing medical attention for freed slaves was a way to serve God sadly she didn't receive formal recognition for her accomplishments until nearly a century later
 there are times when will be overlooked devalued or unappreciated by those around us biblical wisdom reminds us however that when God has called us to a task we shouldn't focus on gaining worldly approval and recognition but should instead as Colossians 3:23 encourages work at it with all our heart as working for the Lord when we focus on serving God we're able to accomplish even the most difficult task with fervor and gladness in his power and leading we can then become less concerned with receiving Earthly recognition and become more eager to receive the reward only he can provide
 our scripture reading today is from Colossians chapter 3 verses 23 through 24
 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
 let's pray
 heavenly father thank you for calling us to do good things for you help us to focus on what you called us to do and do it with joy knowing that we are fulfilling the purpose in life that you have instilled in us thank you Lord It's in Jesus name we pray amen
 thanks for listening today my name is Tony Collier and today's encouragement was provided by Our Daily Bread Ministries