Lean In // Shape Your Faith Into ActionSample

It Matters

How do you think about work, about your work? Is it awesome? Drudgery? A calling? A means to an end? Separate from your faith? An expression of your faith?

God designed us, built us, for work (Genesis 2:15). Work is his gift, not his punishment, nor even a necessary evil. It’s how we’re brought into how he’s blessing and helping his sons and daughters (Ephesians 4:28). You see, God provides his blessings and help through people, through us. The blessing of a house, for example, is given by God, but through the people who build it. Ones who assist in its purchase, like the realtor and the banker, ones who make and sell the furnishings, ones who maintain it, and even those who insure the house against its loss. All this seemingly secular work becomes sacred when it’s done (1) to love and serve God and his purposes, and (2) to love and serve God’s sons and daughters. It may not seem like it sometimes—especially with supply chains as long and complex as they are today—but it does. There’s no menial or meaningless work as long as it helps someone else in a positive way.

It’s in this, in being part of God’s blessing and helping others, that we find our purpose and meaning (Matthew 20:26-28). It’s also how we find joy. Our King, Jesus Christ, teaches us this: “You’re far happier giving than getting” (Acts 20:33-35; John 15:11-15 MSG). Contrary to what our culture teaches, we’re happier exhausting ourselves for the good of others by putting their needs before our own.

Okay, so what do we do?

Who are you serving? Who are you blessing with your work? How might God view it? Spend a few moments in prayer, asking these questions and listening, listening for the Holy Spirit.