Day #16 Work
establish the work of our hands for us--
yes, establish the work of our hands." ~Psalm 90:17 (a prayer of Moses)
Do we have a Clark Kent/Superman problem when it comes to our work life and our spiritual life? Is there a chance that we are like Clark Kent during the week, and then we, like Superman slipping into the phonebooth, morph into our spiritual self for church time on Sunday? Our Clark Kent-self doesn't interact with our Superman-spiritual self; they can't appear together and must be kept separate. If so, we need to seriously rethink this strategy, and it is definitely time to realign this relationship.
Let's shift our thinking about Work.
A couple of ideas in the Bible verse above may be foreign to us, but since Moses spoke with God regularly, we may want to take note:
- Ask for God's favor "to rest on us." (Yes, us, we are not just praying that we make it through another day or that we make it to weekend. We are praying for everyone in our workplace.)
- Ask God to establish our work for us. (God's plan involves using our particular skills and talents to His glory. We need to daily submit to that plan for our daily lives, including our work lives.)
Our routine:
Assessment: What is the current condition of our relationship with our work?
What is the purpose of this relationship?
What is the state of this relationship? What is going well? What isn’t?
What changes need to be made to this relationship?
Adjustment: What opportunities do we have in our workplace to share our faith? What opportunities do we have to show love to others? Are we losing our Christian identity during work? In what ways can our Christian identity be shown in the course of a work day?
Colossians 3:17
"'And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."
Colossians 3:23-24
"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving."
So, much like when we discussed game night, when we are at work, we need to do our jobs, but we also need to think bigger. Yes, our focus needs to be on the role that we fill in the workplace; however, we must keep in mind the spiritual role we are filling as well.
It is often possible to be both Clark Kent and Superman at the same time. The Holy Spirit will guide us if we are willing to listen and be in tune to the Spirit's leading.
Let's take the example of a plumber. The obvious role of a plumber is apparent, and it certainly doesn't seem like a spiritual role. But, when we consider how this plumber treats the people he/she works with, could there exist an additional spiritual purpose? What about how this plumber presents him/herself to the customers? On a given day, this plumber may encounter several people that he/she could impact for Almighty God.
Proverbs 16:3
and he will establish your plans."
Ephesians 2:10
"For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."
Let's stick to our example of the plumber as we reflect on these verses. The plumber prays each day, "I commit the work of my hands to You, Almighty God. Thank You for gifting me for this work. Guide me to being a strong example for my co-workers, and may I be a witness for You to each of my customers today. In Jesus' Name. Amen."
2 Thessalonians 3:11-13
"We hear that some among you are idle and disruptive. They are not busy; they are busybodies. Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the food they eat. And as for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good."
1 Thessalonians 4:11-12
"and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody."
Idle and disruptive and busybodies. Yikes! Hopefully, these words would never be used by our co-workers to describe us. Unfortunately, we all probably have worked with someone who might have fit one or more of those descriptions.
Notice the advice that follows those words: settle down and earn. Just do the work. Never mind all the other people that need "fixing," just "never tire of doing what is good," and "make it your ambition to lead a quiet life." The complainers can be the busiest bodies in the workplace; keep in mind the witness of a person who works as if working for the Almighty.
2 Timothy 2:14-16
"Keep reminding God's people of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen. Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly."
Hebrews 13:17
"Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you."
These pieces of advice from scripture were to be applied to the early church, but they obviously can be applied to our interactions in the workplace that can tend to be filled with "godless chatter" and complaints about our leaders. Let us follow Scripture's advice and strive to shift this culture, so that it will ultimately benefit all of us.
1 Thessalonians 5:11
"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing."
When we do face those difficult days--and difficult people--let us first, thank God for the work of our hands, and then, let us pray for God's favor to rest upon all of those within our workplace.
Prayer:
Almighty God, We thank You for the work You have given us. As we work, help us to keep in mind to be a witness for You to those around us. Help us to submit to Your will for us in our places of work and in our homes. Remind us to reflect You in our lives each day, whether at work or at home. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." ~Matthew 6:21
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