We spend the majority of our lives at work. Were you aware of that? Most of your life is spent doing something (whether paid or unpaid) to contribute to an organization, a family, a school, a country, or society at large.
This is by design.
In Genesis 1 and 2 one of the first things we learn about God is that he is a worker. He is a light bringer, an ocean spreader, a land former, and a star inventor. His creation isn’t finished in an instant, but he works to make these things come to be. After the heavens and the earth are created, God works then to create humanity with dust and wind from his very own lungs.
After they are created, we find God giving Adam and Eve work to do. This mandate is given to them before things go sideways in Eden. Work is given before their fall and subsequent banishment from the garden (Genesis 2:15). As reflections of God himself, Adam and Eve are not only made ‘good’ but also given good work to do.
And as part of humanity, you were created to work. Not only that, but your workplace is a place where God’s presence is, where God is active and alive, and where you can be transformed into his likeness.
We don’t often view the workplace as a place for spiritual growth, for transformation of character, or as a place where spiritual formation can take place. But, since you were created to be a worker, by design, your work can become one of the central avenues through which God shows up, and changes you into more of Christ’s likeness.
You see, your work is your actual life. This may sound like a no-brainer, but spiritual transformation always happens in the midst of our actual lives, not just when we take time away from our ‘real’ lives to be attentive to God. So, God longs for us to pay attention to what he is doing in the midst of the emails, and meetings, in the conflicts we have at work, and in the ways we work to make something of our little corners of the world.
Historically, Christians have used spiritual practices in their lives to become more attentive to God in their midst. I believe that by bringing those spiritual practices into the workplace, we can begin to be attentive to the ways in which God is already speaking, acting, and present in our work.
Because, your work, no matter what type of work it is, is a vehicle for God to use you, form you, and further his work in the world. Are you paying attention to Him in your midst?
Hear more from Shannon at our next Collective Lunch!
- Work is By Design - October 28, 2017