Work is a weighty word in our American context. The word brings ideas, thoughts, opinions, constructs, and values to the forefront of our minds. To some, work is exhausting and viewed as a necessary evil or even an unfortunate consequence of the fallen world we live in. To others, work is something they long for to be able to provide for themselves and their family. Their work brings them pride because it is intrinsically tied to their self-value to themselves, their family, and society. Frankly, some haven’t really considered either of these ideals at all. Work is simply just a part of society and what you do to make a living and build a life for yourself. It is neither good or bad, hard or easy, weighty or light. It simply just exists.

God’s Design for Work

In Scripture, we see work as an avenue for worship. It is meant to be viewed, shaped, and valued through the lens of the gospel’s beauty and all-encompassing nature. In the beginning, God is a Creator making the world we live in and lives we have. He gives Adam and Eve a mandate to take care of his creation (Genesis 1:28, 2:15). We must note, this mandate was a pre-fall mandate. What does this mean for us? It means that work is a part of God’s original, perfect, sinless, creation. And work was not declared bad after the fall. As Benjamin Quinn and Walter Strickland define it, work is simply what we do with God’s creation. They continue this thought:

“Work remained good as God designed it, though it became difficult and painful and leaned away from God’s intended ends; via misdirection, it tends away from God’s original ends. In addition to our labor, then, we must attend the toilsome task of redirecting all things back to God through our work – yes, all things!”

What does it look like for us to “redirect all things back to God through our work”? It begins with our Romans 12:1 posture recognizing that our true worship exists when we give our full and whole life back to God sacrificially living for Him in all things, including our work. Our labor, both paid and unpaid, are meant to be forms of worship for Him. When done with this posture, our work then becomes a small picture of the New Creation that we long for. Tim Keller writes, “There is a God, there is a future healed world that he will bring about, and your work is showing it (in part) to others.”

Gospel Impact in Work

How do we accomplish this? By viewing your work through an eternal lens changed by the gospel. How can your work help bring a better world and a perfect God better into view for those who feel the effect of your work?

• Medical professionals give a small view of the physical and spiritual healing that comes from Christ’s sacrifice on the cross.
• Community developers help reimagine their cities with the New Creation in mind and hope to point to a place that is perfectly structured.
• Law workers seek to provide justice for all people, pointing to the ultimate Carrier of Justice.
• Retail and Grocery workers provide goods for the community, reminding us of a God who has provided for His people from the beginning. Same could be said for farmers and agriculture professionals.
• Realtors and contractors provide housing for citizens creating homes that can stir our longing for homes prepared for us in eternity. While Old Testament builders made the Temple for God's presence, modern builders make homes for Temples of the Holy Spirit.
• Artists show the creativity shown by our Creator through their music and art. They, along with any makers, are creating something new just as God did in Genesis 1.

• All professions provide some type of good, experience, system, or service for God's creation to enjoy for their pleasure, which should prompt our hearts to long for the One who gave them to us.

All professions should seek the common good of the those whom they serve. This is God honoring work. You honor God in work that seeking to provide the best care, service, or experience to your community.

Your work may seem mundane or pointless. Take this encouragement today: God cares about your work because He cares about you and He cares about His creation. Your work is meant to be a small picture of His goodness to His creation. Let that reinvigorate your view of work. Your work matters and your work has Kingdom impact. Living a life where your faith is fully integrated with your work is living our God’s design for you and your work.

Helpful resources on faith and work:

• Every Good Endeavor, Tim Keller
• Every Waking Hour, Benjamin Quinn and Walter Strickland
• Work Matters, Tom Nelson
• Whatever You Do, Luke Bobo