Bible Studies
REFLECTIONS AND PRAYERS ON "WORK"
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We are called to become “new creatures in Christ.” That includes “not being conformed to this world, but being transformed by the renewing of our minds, so that we may discern what is the will of God— what is good, acceptable and perfect.” (Tentmaker Paul, to the believers in Rome, Romans 12:1-2.)
For me that process includes reading, reflecting and applying Scripture. In recent years this practice has caused me to try and express my beliefs and values in brief summaries, based on Scripture and coupled with prayers for my new ways of understanding my daily life, especially my job. Here are five of these “lessons” from my own personal journey toward transformed living and working.
1. Work Is:
- A holy venture, not the result of sin;
- In our DNA because we are images and likenesses of God the Worker;
- A primary way to worship our creator;
- S collaborative venture with the Lord of creation;
- Includes, but is much more than just a job or employment;
- A privilege to function like our Creator;
- A calling to serve God and others;
- The responsibility to manage all resources available to us;
- Stewardship of creation=s vast treasures;
- An opportunity to grow and expand our skills;
- Easily misused when it becomes self-centered, or an addiction.
“Show yourself as a model of good works. He [Jesus Christ] it is who gave himself that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds. Remind them to be ready for every good work. I desire that you insist on these things, so that those who have come to believe may devote themselves to good works; these things are excellent and profitable to everyone. And let the people learn to devote themselves to good works in order to meet urgent needs, so that they may not be unproductive.” (Tentmaker Paul to pastor Titus in Titus 2:5, 14, 3:1, 8, 14)
Thank God, it’s Monday again, and I get to do kingdom ministry in my job, family and community!
2. Jobs Are:
- Integral to our DNA as images and likenesses of the Creator God;
- Gifts on loan from God, not rights;
- Callings to honor God by serving co-workers, customers, suppliers, etc;
- Sacred opportunities and places for God to receive worship-filled work;
- Modeled by men and women in Scripture;
- Invitations to utilize resources (products, services, relationships, etc.) for the benefit of God and others;
- Membership in a community of workers where we can serve;
- Chances to develop skills and gifts given to each of us by God;
- Fraught with pain, sweaty toil, and frustration since the Fall in the garden of Eden,
- Integral, but not equal, to our identity;
- Much more than just a way to get a paycheck;
- Not a long dark tunnel between leisure weekends;
- Opportunities for good by delivering salt, light and leaven into broken places and troubled people.
“The Lord created me at the beginning of his work, the first of his acts long ago… when he marked out the foundations of the earth, then I was beside him, like a master worker; and I was his daily delight, rejoicing before him always rejoicing in his inhabited world and delighting in the human race.” (Proverbs 8:22, 29b-30)
Lord, thank you for designing me like you to work as a worshiper of You, Stewarding your creation and serving others. Help me to do this job well.
3. Gifts to God
What can I offer God, who needs nothing from me?
- A broken and contrite heart. (Psalm 51:17)
- A loved and cherished spouse, (Eph. 5:25, 33)
- Children who know they are loved, (1 Thess. 2:7,11)
- Commitment to other believers in worship and service. (Heb. 10:25)
- Deeds of compassion to orphans, widows and the poor. (James 1:27)
- Excellence in my work, even when it is not seen or acknowledged. (Tit 3:1,8)
- Generosity of my attention, time and resources. (James 1:17, 2:14-17)
- Honor and respect to my parents, (Eph.6:1-3)
- Humility about my ethnicity, station in life and gender. (Rom. 12:3-5)
- Patience toward all, including those I dislike, (James 1:3-4)
- Relationships filled with love, joy, peace, compassion and mercy, (Gal. 5:22-26)
- Tough truth that is always wrapped in gentle love, (Eph. 4:25, 5:1)
- Willingness to suffer. (James 4:12-16).
Lord, help me serve those in my life as you would, and, in so doing, offer your good and acceptable gifts to each one, thereby giving you the gift of a heart like yours in me.
4. Faith Practiced at Work Turns
- Bosses into people developers,
- Business leaders into job creators,
- Educators into spiritual directors,
- Entertainers into change agents,
- Farmers into servants of the hungry,
- Financial Advisors into stewardship counselors,
- Grocers into health and nutrition suppliers,
- Healthcare professionals into gentle healers,
- Insurance agents into wise advisors,
- Journalists into voices for the least among us,
- Manufacturers into stewards of the earth,
- Parents into co-creators of life,
- Pastors into spiritual internists in Christ=s body,
- Politicians into justice brokers,
- Public servants into community builders,
- Technology experts into relationship managers,
- Writers and publishers into dream weavers.
…and all Jesus= followers into developers of “the kingdom of God on earth as it is in heaven.” (Jesus in Matt 6:10)
“So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead. For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead.” (Jesus’ brother James in James 2:17, 26)
Lord, thank you for redemptive possibilities in our jobs.
Help me see the opportunities, and pursue them daily.
5. A Worker’s Prayer
Lord, thank you for giving us hope, especially about our jobs. Thank you for inviting us to become a new generation of:
- builders like Noah & Nehemiah , (Gen. 6, Neh. 1-3)
- carpenters like Bezalel & Jesus Dad, (Exodus 35:30-36:1, Mk 6:3)
- community developers like Joshua & Ezra, (Jos 1:1, Ezra)
- dancers like Miriam & David, (Ex. 15:20-22, 2 Sam 6:12-15)
- farmers like Abraham & Amos, (Gen. 13:2, Amos 1:1)
- homemakers like Martha & Mary, (Luke 10:38-42)
- judges like Deborah & Gideon, (Judges 4:4, 6:11)
- managers like Adam & Eve, (Gen. 1:27-31)
- musicians like Jubal & Mary, (Gen 4:22, Luke 1:46-55)
- pastors like Timothy & Titus. (1 Tim 1:3, 2:7, Tit 1:5, 2:1)
- retailers like Lydia & Demetrius, (Acts 16:14, 19:23-27 ), and
- seamstresses like Hannah & Tabitha, (1 Sam 2:19, Acts 9:36)
Lord teach us how to take our jobs more seriously in our calling to build “your kingdom on earth as it is in heaven.” In Jesus name, Amen!
(With thanks to author John Schuster, Answering Your Call)
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