The other day, a friend and I went to lunch at the State Farmer’s Market Restaurant, and when I stepped inside, I noticed a sign taped to the wall. On it was a picture of waiter Brian Stewart, and it said something about him being a hero for saving a customer’s life. I didn’t get a chance to read it, but I wasn’t going to leave without hearing the story.

Brian is hard to miss in the sea of customers eating country cooking and sipping sweet tea. He’s tall and lanky, with long braids that complement his long arms. (There’s more on those long arms in a moment.)

When Brian walked past my table, I stopped him and asked him to tell me the story. He said he was carrying a tray when he saw a large man stand up and begin choking. The man’s wife was trying to do the Heimlich maneuver, but her arms weren’t long or strong enough to do the work.

“God told me to go over and help the man, so I knew I had to be the one to do it,” said Brian.

Keep in mind that Brian’s medical training in this area is limited to watching the Heimlich maneuver on TV shows, but it didn’t matter. He was on a mission from God.

Brian put his tray on a customer’s table and headed for the man, who was gasping for air. Brian then wrapped his long arms around the man’s torso, and began squeezing—over and over again.

The room got quiet as the other customers realized what was happening and began watching in horror. Among those people happened to be an EMT and a nurse, but both stayed out of the way. Brian was doing the job perfectly.

Suddenly, after about two minutes of Brian squeezing, the man coughed out the food and gasped.

“What did you do when he coughed up the food?” I asked.

“I started crying,” said Brian. “I’m an emotional guy, and when I thought about how God had me there for that moment, it was overwhelming. I mean, I’ve been working here for ten years, and I love it, because I love God and I love being friendly to people. But I never imagined I’d end up helping save a man’s life.”

In the past few weeks, I’ve spent time with a number of people who are struggling with their work in one way or another. This includes a teacher, pastor, lawyer, stay-at-home mom, grocery store employee, university student, author, sales rep, and administrative assistant. Nobody’s work has been glamorous: They’ve taught basic math skills to kids, refereed conflicts, lost valuable contracts, typed memos, stocked shelves, and been harassed by customers.

None of these people have saved a life this week, and Brian Stewart doesn’t need to save another life to feel significant at work. He’s content making people feel welcome, getting food out on time, and helping his coworkers out when they need him.

Scripture says, “Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ” (Colossians 3:23-24, NLT) (emphasis added).

If God cares about “whatever you do” in your work, then everything you do at work matters to Him—every keystroke on the computer, every grocery cart filled, every surgery performed, every child sent to the principal’s office, every Excel spreadsheet designed, every yard watered, every floor swept, every diaper changed, every email sent.

The significance of our work isn’t defined by how we feel about it. It’s defined by why we’re doing it and who we’re doing it for. If it’s solely for our fulfillment, we’re just getting the job done and hopefully having a good time doing it. If it’s for Jesus, it’s an act of worship.

With that in mind, work like Brian today. The payoff will be more than any employer in this world could ever afford. You’ll get an inheritance from the King of Kings, and the best part will be hearing Him say, “Well done, my good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21).