Work is noble. Man was given work in the garden; it only became burdensome after the curse of sin. I have a few reflections on work to share, if you'll indulge me, as I meditate on godly work.
As a kid growing up I used to watch Thomas the Tank Engine. The show followed the adventures of a bunch of trains who lived and worked on the Isle of Sodor, presided over by a man named "Sir Toppham Hat." Whenever Thomas would come through and save the day, his reward was that the boss would announce in front of everyone that "Thomas is a very useful engine," and Thomas would positively beam with joy (trains being very emotive on the Isle of Sodor).
There's something like this in the parable of the talents, as well, when the master returns from his journey and praises his men by saying "Well done, my good and faithful servant."
There's something about doing and being what you were designed to do and be that feels like nothing else in the world. Maybe that's why there are so many workaholics in America.
Work is good. The Bible says "whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men."
As I let that really sink in, a couple of things stick out.
First, how much more could we accomplish if the Lord of Hosts was our boss? How hard would we work? How much more would we pay attention to "trivial" details? How much happier would our customers be? Our patients? Our parishioners? Our clients?
Second, what does that even look like? Exodus gives us a clue: "Six days you shall labor, but on the seventh day you shall rest; even during the plowing season and harvest you must rest." Even God rested on the seventh day. Why? Did He need a breather? No, He was giving us a model.
Read: REST IS NOT OPTIONAL. At least not Biblically. So why is everyone so tired and strung out?
Economic pressure is one reason. Part of that is society making things exceedingly difficult for low-income earners (that's right, conservatives), and part of it is poor decision making arising from a lack of self control and not practicing Biblical principles of finance and wisdom (are you listening, liberals?).
But there are some people who have plenty and still work too hard. Why?
It's easy to derive your sense of worth as a human being from your ability to produce, and that heady feeling of satisfaction from a job well done is addictive. But work cannot save you, or justify you. Only the risen Savior can do that.
The danger of being human and therefore fallen is that our hearts are constantly searching for something with which to replace God as the center of our lives. The problem is, our souls weren't designed to be sustained by anything else. "Man does not live by bread alone, but by every work that proceedeth from the mouth of God."
People who work as if their lives depended on it are, in a narrow sense, right. But just as those who crave youth and beauty inevitably grow old, Midas will eventually starve to death. Only Christ's sacrificial death and resurrection on your behalf can free you from the cruel, slave-driving frenzy of the idol of work.
Third, and most importantly, such a high standard of work can only by sustained by a daily refill of grace. This one is tough. Being a Christian is like driving an electric car. It's clean, good for the environment, and the insides are quiet and calm. But get too far from a charging station and you'll grind to a halt. "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."
It's easy to pray and get a fill-up, and it's also easy to go too long without a charge and forget that, as USMC Maj. Shawn Madden writes, "No matter what kind of bad ass you think that you might be, his rod and his staff is what sustains you on that long journey, not your own misconstrued concept of your feeble abilities."
So, what? Act like God's your boss, because He is. Rest, and don't feel bad about it- it's required. And pray every day. How? I like what Luther suggests in his Small Catechism:
"In the morning...say [a] little prayer...Then go to your work with joy..."
