So many of us struggle to feel that our work—the ways we spend the majority of our time and the way we pay our bills—has lasting spiritual value. This is remarkable, given how often Scripture insists that everything we do matters to God.
Poet and novelist Wendell Berry offers a good word here: “If we think of ourselves as living souls, immortal creatures, living in the midst of a Creation that is mostly mysterious, and if we see that everything we make or do cannot help but have an everlasting significance for ourselves, for others, and for the world, then we can see why some religious teachers have understood works as a form of prayer.”
Isaiah 60 provides one of the many pictures of the new kind of world God has in mind. Here, flowing into the New Jerusalem, we find all the things that God will use as part of this new redeemed place, flourishing under the goodness of God:
•Kingdoms (Isaiah 60:3)—our politics and governments and ways of ordering human societies in justice.
•Wealth (Isaiah 60:5)—all we own, how we provide for our families.
•Camels, flocks, and rams (Isaiah 60:6-7)—the creatures we watch over.
•Gold and frankincense (Isaiah 60:6)—every natural resource.
•Ships (Isaiah 60:9)—the things we’ve built.
•Cypress and pine, silver and gold (Isaiah 60:13,17)—all the materials craftsmen and artists use to make beautiful and useful objects.
•Every ethnic group (Isaiah 60:3,10,16)—our cultures, our history, our stories, our families, our sense of self.
In God’s vision for the world, everything matters. Your work matters. Your unique passions and gifts matter. Surrendered to God, even those things that might seem ordinary or mundane participate in the new world God will create.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: John 17:1-26
More:
Read Colossians 3:23 and consider what it says about your work.
Next:
How have you been tempted to believe that your work is inconsequential to God’s activity? How can you engage in your work with a new vitality, awake to God’s intentions to use what you do to enact healing and goodness?
godlove on September 19, 2016 at 4:40 am
Winn, the importance of committing everything in our lives to GOD and submitting all that we do to His care cannot be overemphasized. I have always believed that there is nothing too ordinary for Him. Every situation in which He puts us can and should be used to glorify His name, and our work is certainly one very important aspect of our lives. Since the Fall, the command from God remains: “By the sweat of your brow will you have food to eat” (Genesis 3:19). The example of sportsmen who visibly make a short prayer before they start each game and give honour to God when they score or win stands out for me. They may not usually be perfect role models but to see how they surrender their job to God is quite a good example for all believers. The passage from the More section is a great exhortation for all workers and the next verse Colossians 3:24, takes it even further: “Remember that […] the Master you are serving is Christ.” Thanks for this great reminder, Winn. Blessed week to all!
Gary Shultz on September 19, 2016 at 6:17 am
Hi Winn, it does, everything does matter, and we only get one shot at this life thing. I really like that through the book of Isaiah, with the pronounced judgements is mixed the promise. Thanks for a breakdown of what that time will look like. With a sight to the future the present is enriched. Thanks Winn
Tom Felten on September 19, 2016 at 8:09 am
Winn, good thoughts on the reality that all we do matters—as worship to God and being part of His new creational, transformative work on earth. As Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 15:58, “My dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.”
porbeagles4life on September 19, 2016 at 10:06 am
I constantly struggle with this , criticizing myself for not contributing anything to the greater good. Having a disability ended my career and resulted in many losses. My days are long and lonely and I don’t feel like I accomplish much of anything important. I keep my mind busy, I speak with friends on the phone, I spend time in prayer and Christian study, etc . Nothing compared to the things I used to accomplish. So work being meaningful- that’s a sore spot for me, a stumbling block.
gagirllive on September 19, 2016 at 12:21 pm
So sorry for the discouragement you are experiencing, porbeagles4life. It is hard when life takes an unexpected turn and you find yourself being redirected in ways you could not have imagined. I sure can identify with the emotions that you battle. You do have to go through a time of grief to accept the losses you’ve incurred. But surely God has a plan for this since, by His sovereign hand, He has brought you here. I have found in my own experience that a thankful heart changes my perspective tremendously. Instead of focusing on my losses, I focus on the gains. In your case, thank God for the amount of time you have to pray and really get into His word everyday. I always say that spending time with God makes every day a good and profitable day….even if you haven’t accomplished anything else. Also, what a blessing to connect with friends. Thank God you now have time to invest in and build up your relationships in the body of Christ. Ask God to show you the plans He has for you in your present circumstances. If I may be so bold to say this to you: get your mind off yourself and look around and find someone that you can be a blessing to. So often God refreshes me when I refresh others. God didn’t bring you to this place for nothing, my friend. You have work that you can do right where you are. Offer what you have to the Lord. Everything you offer to Him in faith matters, as Winn has beautifully shared with us today. Praying for you, porbeagles4life. Be encouraged.
peejesusc on September 20, 2016 at 3:55 am
Thanks a lot gagirllive. Your contributions like this one and those of Gary, Kim, Sandy etc here have blessed me tremendously. What a privilege, reminds me always of God’s faithfulness-His promise to never leave us or forsake us. This forum and uncountable others are all ‘elements’ of His unending faithfulness. I love Him with my all and pray that I live is out in my daily life. Its my prayer for every saint. In case you’re wondering, I’ve been here long enough to enjoy many of your contributions but always shy to say anything for fear I may not be knowledgeable enough. LOL. I just realized that just professing my love for Him may be a good start even in my quest for deeply knowledge of Him in this forum etc. God bless you all.
gagirllive on September 20, 2016 at 6:18 am
Thank you, peejesusc, for your very kind words! I love it when “new” (the rare or occasional) people post on the forum. To be honest, sometimes I fear that my often lengthy comments keep others from adding their own. We need and welcome some fresh voices here! Every contribution and perspective matters—no eloquence or special knowledge required. 🙂 This is a safe place to express your heart about your journey with God, so don’t shy away from joining us. We are so blessed to have these wonderful ODJ writers who lead us into conversation everyday. I feel the circle of kinship and friendship with those of us who post regularly, but the circle is always open for others to join in. Grace and peace to you, my fellow traveler!
purestrength on September 19, 2016 at 12:56 pm
Porbeagles4life ~ I am on my second go round of loss of work from a disability. I can understand your feelings well. Gagirllive expressed my feelings for you and your situation very well. God lives in our praises and thanks givings! God has met my every need, even the need to feel useful living with a disability ( or several in my case) She is so right in saying that having time for prayer and to spend time with God are so important. I am reading a book that mentions how our prayers now, may impact future generations. Is there any way you can volunteer or mentor in your area? The first time I was disabled ( 20 years ago) I volunteered to listen to children read at an elementary school. I was able to begin working part time then full time. I am now 60 and due to my age and physical limitations I cannot return to work. Everyday I thank God for his provision. I will pray that He will send some companionship for you to ease your loneliness. I will also pray that you would realize how useful your prayers are.
gagirllive on September 19, 2016 at 4:16 pm
Amen, purestrength. I can’t think of a more “useful” work than the work of prayer. One of the ministries that I am involved in at my church is the Prayer Team. I can’t tell you the joy I find in making intercession for people, most whom I never meet. And it’s all done in obscurity—from my home in my prayer closet. I love that. So often we think that something is significant if it is visible to others. But when you live for an audience of One, everything has significance. In fact, I believe it’s often the things done in secret that matter most. Join me in prayer for our friend porbeagles4life to realize that he (or she?) has been strategically positioned for such a time as this to fulfill God’s purposes in his or her life. As you have testified here, God shows Himself strong through our weaknesses. Your disabilities paved the way to showcase His ability in your life. Praise Him!