It’s My Pleasure… but You’re Not THE Boss of Me

Jan 22, 2018 | 2 Corinthians, Christian Living, Culture, Ephesians, Fulfillment, Honor, Identity, Leadership, Listening Up, Love, Resolve, Service, Stewardship, Work Life, YLU18, YLU18-Love

Written By Chad Gramling

My pleasure. I thought I was pretty wise when I decided to start saying that whenever anyone would thank me for the work I had done for them. I thought I was pretty smart. That is, I thought I was smart until  learned it was the phrase Chick Fil-A employees are instructed to say “my pleasure” instead of “you’re welcome.” Heck, there’s even a song dedicated to it. How could I not know about it? Turns out, though, that the restaurant’s founder, Truett Cathy, implemented it based upon someone else thinking of it first. And I am just betting, they picked it up somewhere before that. Why is that? It’s because attitude is infectious. Not only that, but people what to be treated well. By saying “my pleasure” instead of “you’re welcome,” you are telling the person, it’s an honor (even if it may not have been). And this idea - that positive attitude and honoring the one we serve - is at the heart of Jonathan Edwards’ Resolution #62.

Jonathan Edwards’ Resolution #62

Edwards’ Resolution #62 (as it was written)
62. Resolved, never to do anything but duty; and then according to Eph. 6:6-8, do it willingly and cheerfully as unto the Lord, and not to man; “knowing that whatever good thing any man doth, the same shall he receive of the Lord.” June 25 and July 13, 1723.
Edwards’ Resolution #62 (in my modernized language)
62. Resolved: I will live to do the will of God in love and according to Ephesians 6:6-8, I will do so willingly and cheerfully as though I am serving the Lord, and not man. Whatever good thing that one does for another, he or she do it as if to or for the Lord.
This is one of the few resolutions where Edwards specifically points to scripture. In this case, he is specifically referencing Ephesians 6:6-8. So this is probably a great place to start our discussion.
Try to please them all the time, not just when they are watching you. As slaves of Christ, do the will of God with all your heart. Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will reward each one of us for the good we do, whether we are slaves or free. - Ephesians 6:6-8 (NLT)
 Depending upon the translation, this scripture can sometimes be contentious because of the use the term “slaves.” In fact, it would appear if we were to back up to verse 5 in this translation. However, it should not be confused. In this sense, it’s a reference to anyone we serve in some capacity. That may be a parent, a supervisor, a teacher, and any of an endless list really.   Ultimately, though, we are called to serve God first and foremost. However, we are serving God even as we work and offer our services to others. So, when you say "my pleasure" you are telling God it is your pleasure. You see, the best way to witness on the job is to do a good day’s work. Doing so is the will of God. And he will be the one doing the true rewarding.

Serving God as You are Serving Others

In a lot of ways, the verse from Ephesians reminds me of a verse from II Corinthians. As it shows, our main goal is our service to God. And we are to say “my pleasure” as we serve - regardless of circumstance. Even handing someone a chicken sandwich in the drive-through.
But neither exile nor homecoming is the main thing. Cheerfully pleasing God is the main thing, and that’s what we aim to do, regardless of our conditions. Sooner or later we’ll all have to face God, regardless of our conditions. We will appear before Christ and take what’s coming to us as a result of our actions, either good or bad. That keeps us vigilant, you can be sure. It’s no light thing to know that we’ll all one day stand in that place of Judgment. That’s why we work urgently with everyone we meet to get them ready to face God. God alone knows how well we do this, but I hope you realize how much and deeply we care. We’re not saying this to make ourselves look good to you. We just thought it would make you feel good, proud even, that we’re on your side and not just nice to your face as so many people are. If I acted crazy, I did it for God; if I acted overly serious, I did it for you. Christ’s love has moved me to such extremes. His love has the first and last word in everything we do. Our firm decision is to work from this focused center: One man died for everyone. That puts everyone in the same boat. He included everyone in his death so that everyone could also be included in his life, a resurrection life, a far better life than people ever lived on their own. - 2 Corinthians 5:10-15 (MSG)

Why Serving You is My Pleasure

It’s my pleasure to serve through all that I do. It’s an honor to the one saved us from ourselves. Edwards Resolution #62 speaks very directly to this fact and why we should ensure that all our efforts are done with a joyful attitude. Photo by Petr Sevcovic on Unsplash

It’s my pleasure to serve through all that I do. It’s an honor to the one saved us from ourselves. Edwards Resolution #62 speaks very directly to this fact and why we should ensure that all our efforts are done with a joyful attitude. Photo by Petr Sevcovic on Unsplash

I love what the Apostle Paul says to the church of Corinth at the end of that passage. “Our firm decision is to work from this focused center: One man died for everyone.” He did this in a very visible and public manner. Christ was serving us up to that very last moment! And He still serves us to this day through His Holy Spirit. We should be so wise to serve others, knowing we are doing so not for our own gain or to look the part. We do so - cheerfully and filled with joy - not because we are making our earthly bosses happy. But because we are so honored to be in serving to God. The one who saved us from ourselves.

Written By Chad Gramling

Chad Gramling is a passionate writer, historian, and artist dedicated to exploring the intersections of faith, history, and creativity. Through 1Glories, he shares his unique perspectives and life lessons, inviting readers to join him on a journey of discovery and inspiration.

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