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Jesus claims Peter's boat. He doesn't request the use of it. Christ doesn't fill out an application or ask permission; He simply boards the boat and begins to preach.

He can do that, you know. All boats belong to Christ. Your boat is where you spend your day, make your living, and to a large degree live your life. The taxi you drive, the horse stable you clean, the dental office you manage, the family you feed and transport-this is your boat. Christ shoulder-taps us and reminds:

You drive My truck.
You preside in My courtroom.
You work on My job site.
You serve My hospital wing.
To us all, Jesus says,
"Your work is My work."

God's eyes fall on the work of our hands. Our Wednesdays matter to Him as much as our Sundays. He blurs the secular and sacred. One stay-at-home mom keeps this sign over her kitchen sink: DIVINE TASKS PERFORMED HERE, DAILY. An executive hung this plaque in her office: MY DESK IS MY ALTAR. Both are correct. With God our work matters as much as our worship. Indeed, work can be worship.

Peter, the boat owner, later wrote: You are a chosen people. You are a kingdom of priests, God's holy nation, His very own possession. This is so you can show others the goodness of God (1 Pet. 2:9, NLT).

Next time a job application requests your prior employment, write priest or priestess, for you are one. A priest represents God, and you, my friend, represent God. So let every detail in your lives-words, actions, whatever-be done in the name of the Master, Jesus (Col. 3:17, MSG). You don't drive to an office; you drive to a sanctuary. You don't attend a school; you attend a temple. You may not wear a clerical collar, but you could. Your boat is God's pulpit.

I have a friend who understands this. By job description she teaches at a public elementary school. By God's description she pastors a class of precious children. Read the e-mail she sent her friends:

I'm asking for your prayers for my students. I know everyone is busy, but if you ever can, I know there is power in specifically addressed prayers. Please pray for …

Randy (smartest boy in my class-mom speaks no English-just moved from Washington-blind in his right eye because he poked it with a sharp tool when he was three.)

Henry (learning disabled-tries with all his little heart-it takes him about a minute to say two words-I think he's used to me now, but it was hard for him to keep up at first!)

Richard (a smile that could almost get him out of any trouble-his mom can't be much older than I am-and he's very smart and pretty naughty, just the way I like 'em!)

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