I have become determined in my theological structure to state that there is no room for individualism. By individualism I mean any personal effort thought to contribute in one way or another to God's acts of redemption.
I need to say this clearly: this does not mean that the human being does not have an obligation to to work. Rather, our work performs no salvific function. We do not work to earn salvation; we work because we are saved.
This is a covenantal thing. God relates to humanity covenantally. This distinction is, to be certain, a dense one but there are a couple points of reference: God initiates the covenant, claiming a people for His own. People enter this covenant community in baptism, formerly circumcision. Part and parcel to the covenant are promises of either blessing or curse dependent upon obedience to covenant obligations, i.e. commandments.
If there is a place for effort it can only be in the mandate to love one another. We have been commanded to a certain ethic and lifestyle characterized by love and faithfulness. Understanding that we are deeply connected to God in covenant is how we can recognize that our relationship with God is dynamic and we do have to do works. But these works are a matter of covenant obedience and faithfulness, they do not earn us anything.
Showing posts with label work. Show all posts
Showing posts with label work. Show all posts
Friday, February 8, 2013
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
Can't Get Out of Work and Why Would You?
We live in a world that is obsessed with the search for comfort and ease. Consequently, laziness and sloth are at endemic levels as no longer, as it has been in the past, do people reward their hard work with relaxation. Instead, serenity is considered a sort of birthright, an entitled dispensation. It is as if work has been deemed evil as laziness has been exalted as good.
Scripture, however, has another way of dealing with work altogether. For Scripture, particularly for Solomon, work is not just the drudge of daily life but it is one of the true joys of life (Ecc 5:12, 18). The reason that work is a joy has far less to do with the what of work than with the why. The why of work is that God has given us the joy of using our senses and exercising our dignity in the reception of the goods that come from work, i.e. wage, satisfaction, et al.
This is not to say that work and the provision that work affords should ever be allowed to eclipse God either in exaltation or in faith. Instead, work is to be rightly considered as a component of the grace that God has given to humanity. Our work is but a medium for God's grace to be conveyed to us. Let us then take great joy in work and to always give God praise for that joy!
Saturday, September 1, 2012
Working because its Right
Over the course of the past couple of decades, America has seen a dramatic change in its work force. The increase in the technology of distractions (video games, entertainment, etc.) and the growing sense of entitlement has created generations of Americans who either do not know how to work or just don't want to. It is more than the concept of rest in relation to work. Rather it is the idea of the value of work.
For starters, there is a significant difference between resting after work, and deciding to be lazy and slothful before ever working at all. This is a major issue of extreme importance, and if we miss this one, we will never live our lives to the extent that God has for us.
In reality, work and the whole concept of work goes back to the very beginning of time. When Adam was created, God ordained him for work. Work marks the days, six on and the seventh off. It is also work that informs life with purpose and intent. If we understand that work has not deviated from its origins, then we can begin to understand that to skew our concepts of work isnothing less than disbelief and, dare I say, sin.
For this, the writer of Ecclesiastes, a wise man with wisdom to share, has much to say in this regard:
"Behold, what I have seen to be good and fitting is to eat and drink and find enjoyment in all the toil which one toils with under the sun the few days of his life that God has given him, for this is his lot (Ecc. 5:18)."
Although this is a single passage of Scripture describing the value of work, particularly the worth of enjoying one's work, it is by no means an isolated instance in which work is esteemed for its value. Instead, this is just a simple and overarching reality of human life. We, as humans, are made to work just as work has been made for us. Assessing the purposes and reasons behind are more than this dialogue permits, suffice to say that it is God's will that we work and work with diligence and enjoyment.
Unfortunately, there have been misconceptions of what constitutes enjoyment in our culture. Our world has misconstrued enjoyment to mean something less-satisfying and more instantly-gratifying, to the detriment of the good that comes from having to work for enjoyment, namely perseverance and character. Should it be any wonder, then, why the world is inundated with people who lack character and inner fortitude? Let us then take joy in the toils under the sun all the days of our lives, knowing that God has made us for this and He has purposes for us through it!
Friday, July 13, 2012
The Salt & Light Snowblower
Several years ago, Ned bought a new snow blower, which is a necessity for the snowy winters of Minnesota. Previously he had always shoveled his driveway and it took over an hour. But now, with that beautiful machine, he could get it done in less than five minutes. The ease of snow-blowing took away the all-too familiar dread of having to shovel. He even enjoyed doing the drive.
The second winter he had the blower, two elderly neighbors from California moved in across the street. The couple both had heart problems and Ned noticed them struggling to shovel the drive after the first snow fall. When he saw them wrestling with the snow, he simply started his blower, pushed it across the street, and did their's too. It just became a part of the routine; twelve minutes for both drives. Ned then also remembered that his other neighbor, Mike, left for work at 4:30 in the morning, so he bagan doing his too. Another four minutes.
A few years later, his next door neighbor, Larry, passed away. Because his widowed wife, Pearl, was also elderly, Ned just started doing hers too. Another five minutes. Later that same year, the neighbors down the block had a baby, so Ned added their's to his routine too. By the end of that year, Ned was snow blowing about a half hour and doing five driveways.
Ned was happy to be the neighborhood plowman, relishing in the joy of caring for and serving his community. One night, though, he fell deathly ill and had to be taken to the hospital. Over the course of a two day bed-ridden, hospital stay he recovered and was eventually released. As his wife was driving him home, he felt so bad because there had been a huge snowfall the night before.
However, as they arrived back in the neighborhood, he was astonished to see that all of the driveways were done. To his amazement, Ned's wife told him that in the morning she looked out the front window to see one of their other neighbors, whom they had never even met, doing the driveways. Ned nearly broke into tears. He never realized the affect that he had made over the past few years.
The point is example. If we are to be the salt and light of the world, the very hands and feet of Christ, then we need to look at the needs around us and step in to fill them. Jesus calls us to love as He loves us. Think of that: He gave His very life, dying upon the cross to serve and to love all humankind. Laying down our preference and our comfort in order to care for others is what being a Christian is all about. Therefore, let us seek out opportunities to serve and then seize them for Him!
Ned was happy to be the neighborhood plowman, relishing in the joy of caring for and serving his community. One night, though, he fell deathly ill and had to be taken to the hospital. Over the course of a two day bed-ridden, hospital stay he recovered and was eventually released. As his wife was driving him home, he felt so bad because there had been a huge snowfall the night before.
However, as they arrived back in the neighborhood, he was astonished to see that all of the driveways were done. To his amazement, Ned's wife told him that in the morning she looked out the front window to see one of their other neighbors, whom they had never even met, doing the driveways. Ned nearly broke into tears. He never realized the affect that he had made over the past few years.
The point is example. If we are to be the salt and light of the world, the very hands and feet of Christ, then we need to look at the needs around us and step in to fill them. Jesus calls us to love as He loves us. Think of that: He gave His very life, dying upon the cross to serve and to love all humankind. Laying down our preference and our comfort in order to care for others is what being a Christian is all about. Therefore, let us seek out opportunities to serve and then seize them for Him!
Monday, July 9, 2012
Using Time to the Fullest
Much of Holy Writ is dedicated to the task of understanding wisdom. Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and the book of Job are all explicitly devoted to the quest for wisdom. The particulars of wisdom are examined by pitting wisdom against folly. The onset of the search for wisdom is the fear of God (Pro. 9:10). Reverence for God is the beginning of wisdom, and should guide every decision in every situation we may face.
Some of the most constant and challenging decisions we face is that of time usage. Time is limited; there is only so much of it to do all of the things that need to be done. Everyday, several times a day, we face decisions in how we will choose to devote our time. As a result, a true test of wisdom is in how well we make use of the time we have been given because our time is so limited. We should, then, strive to prioritize with wisdom so as to not let the time go along in uselessness.
Paul exhorts believers in Ephesians to live wisely by making the most use of the time, for the days are evil (Eph. 5:15-16). Truly, this is the case. For time passes whether we are aware of it or not. And if we are not paying attention, it will be too late before we realize. Paul echoes his exhortation in his letter to the Colossians (Col. 4:5), indicating that this is an important teaching and should not be quickly neglected.
Ultimately, godly time management and prioritization is a practice that takes effort, diligence, and discipline. Often the trappings of the world have such a hook-like pull that distract us from the tasks we have been called to complete. Think of all the time we've so easily spent online, in front of the television, or just sitting around doing nothing. In the end, this should not be so. Let us then press on in faith and obedience to make the best use of the blessed time that God has given us!
Some of the most constant and challenging decisions we face is that of time usage. Time is limited; there is only so much of it to do all of the things that need to be done. Everyday, several times a day, we face decisions in how we will choose to devote our time. As a result, a true test of wisdom is in how well we make use of the time we have been given because our time is so limited. We should, then, strive to prioritize with wisdom so as to not let the time go along in uselessness.
Paul exhorts believers in Ephesians to live wisely by making the most use of the time, for the days are evil (Eph. 5:15-16). Truly, this is the case. For time passes whether we are aware of it or not. And if we are not paying attention, it will be too late before we realize. Paul echoes his exhortation in his letter to the Colossians (Col. 4:5), indicating that this is an important teaching and should not be quickly neglected.
Ultimately, godly time management and prioritization is a practice that takes effort, diligence, and discipline. Often the trappings of the world have such a hook-like pull that distract us from the tasks we have been called to complete. Think of all the time we've so easily spent online, in front of the television, or just sitting around doing nothing. In the end, this should not be so. Let us then press on in faith and obedience to make the best use of the blessed time that God has given us!
Sunday, July 8, 2012
Doing the Will of Christ
The nature of the Christian life is one of devotion, of diligence, and of pursuit. But above all else, the Christian life is a matter of practice. Christians are called to be doers of the Word (James 1:22-23; 2:23-25). If Christians would take to this task seriously, we would see far more fruit-bearing, Word-living, people-loving Christians.
Jesus says, quite directly, that it is not the hearers of the Word who will be blessed, but the doers (Matt. 7:24-27). This should compel us to eschew simple indoctrination and to pursue living out the teachings of Christ.
Peter writes that Jesus has become our example (1 Pet. 2:21). What is an example that isn't emulated. In order for Jesus to actually be our example, we need to be doing what He taught. This is an active ordeal. Quite plainly, if we are not doing what Jesus has emulated, then we are not being obedient. Thus, if we claim to be Christians we need to be doing the Word of Christ, actually fulfilling Christ's commandments within our lives.
This is what planting the Word in our hearts is all about; this is what growing fruit is all about; this is what abiding in Him is all about. If, then, we who claim Christ are to grow in obedience we must be willing and committed to doing the Will of Christ. Let us then commit to becoming doers of the Word who live out the teachings of the Word in word and deed!
Sunday, July 1, 2012
The Stonecutter
Once upon a time there was a stonecutter who lived alone. He made his living by forming stone and cutting rocks into various forms and tools. For years he worked tirelessly in his workshop along the main road of the city. One day, as he was hammering granite he heard a crowd shouting cries of herald for the king. He felt such envy and discontent that he cried out: "Oh if I could only be a king with subjects that shouted joys and praise to my greatness."
Immediately, he was transformed into a powerful king with a whole kingdom full of adoring subjects. "This is power," he would often think to himself. For weeks, the man enjoyed his new life until one day he realized that the sun was much more powerful than he was, casting its powerful gaze and light upon the whole world. So, like before, he boldly asked, "If I could be the sun, then I would have all the power in the world and be content." Instantly, he was the sun.
As the sun, the man enjoyed bringing warmth and light to all the world. He relished in the fact that everything depended on his presence. Until one day, a cloud broke his gaze and hindered him from shining his light upon the world. He could not accept being stripped of his power, so he exclaimed, "If I could become a cloud, then I would be more powerful than the sun and be able to be content." In a moment, he became a cloud.
As a cloud, he pooled all of his power to form a gigantic rain cloud. Wherever he went he would pour down rain with such torrential force that the most powerful of men would hide from his presence. Rivers were cut and grain was watered by him. Everything was in awe at his power. Only the massive rocks were unaffected by his power. So, like the times before, he cried out in a loud voice, "I would like to be a huge rock and then I would be powerful and content."
As a rock, he was massive and powerful. The sun and the rain did nothing to him at all. He felt free and strong until one day, a man walked up to him with a chisel and hammer, and began to chip away at the rock. The rock cried out, "I want to be a stonecutter!" And he was transformed back into a stonecutter, living out the rest of his life content with making a living by forming stone and cutting rocks.
Sometimes it is easy to be discontent with our life or with our station. But no matter where we go, there we are. We should not try to leave the vocational stations that God has called us to but be joyous that God has made us for a specific reason. As Paul writes, "Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him (1 Cor. 7:17)." Let us then be content in whatever God has called us to and to do it with absolute excellence!
Immediately, he was transformed into a powerful king with a whole kingdom full of adoring subjects. "This is power," he would often think to himself. For weeks, the man enjoyed his new life until one day he realized that the sun was much more powerful than he was, casting its powerful gaze and light upon the whole world. So, like before, he boldly asked, "If I could be the sun, then I would have all the power in the world and be content." Instantly, he was the sun.
As the sun, the man enjoyed bringing warmth and light to all the world. He relished in the fact that everything depended on his presence. Until one day, a cloud broke his gaze and hindered him from shining his light upon the world. He could not accept being stripped of his power, so he exclaimed, "If I could become a cloud, then I would be more powerful than the sun and be able to be content." In a moment, he became a cloud.
As a cloud, he pooled all of his power to form a gigantic rain cloud. Wherever he went he would pour down rain with such torrential force that the most powerful of men would hide from his presence. Rivers were cut and grain was watered by him. Everything was in awe at his power. Only the massive rocks were unaffected by his power. So, like the times before, he cried out in a loud voice, "I would like to be a huge rock and then I would be powerful and content."
As a rock, he was massive and powerful. The sun and the rain did nothing to him at all. He felt free and strong until one day, a man walked up to him with a chisel and hammer, and began to chip away at the rock. The rock cried out, "I want to be a stonecutter!" And he was transformed back into a stonecutter, living out the rest of his life content with making a living by forming stone and cutting rocks.
Sometimes it is easy to be discontent with our life or with our station. But no matter where we go, there we are. We should not try to leave the vocational stations that God has called us to but be joyous that God has made us for a specific reason. As Paul writes, "Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him (1 Cor. 7:17)." Let us then be content in whatever God has called us to and to do it with absolute excellence!
Sunday, June 24, 2012
Carrying One Stick of Trouble at a Time
John Newton, a sailor and clergyman during the 18th century, has a wonderful analogy of worry and anxiety worth paraphrasing:
All the worries and troubles of an entire year of life are life a giant pile of sticks. And each day, God hands us a single stick to carry for the entirety of the day. At the end of each day we return to God and return the stick to him. The next day, we wake up and God hands us another stick. Each day has its own stick, not more and not less than we can handle. Occasionally, we come to God and we ask him to hand us today's stick and tomorrow's, and by the end of the day we seem tired and beaten but we return again to God to give him back the sticks. And some days, we feel haughty and sure so we ask for a week's worth of sticks. And though God warns us, he hands us the sticks and tells us that he will be there to help us if we can't handle the sticks. We turn to God, smile, and proceed to take from him the sticks, tie them into a wide bundle, throw the bundle over our backs and leave for our day. At first, the bundle seems only annoyingly heavy but as the day bears on, the sticks begin to weigh on us as an ever-growing burden. Thus, by the end of the day, we can barely move and each step feels like a trudge throw the deepest of mired bogs until we finally collapse under the weight of bundle. As we lay there, beaten under the force of our own troubles bundled beyond our ability to care for them, God comes up behind us and picks the overwhelming bundle of sticks off us us with ease and helps us back to our feet.
The point is that, though our natural inclination is to take on today's, tomorrow's, and next week's challenges and worries, God has ordained that we should not take on more than what we can handle, for each day has enough trouble for itself (Matt. 6:34), and we should only attempt to take on that which God has placed before us for the moment. God desires that we, in humility, press into Him to cover and care for our troubles and our worries. Let us then do so with consistency, clinging to Him to preserve us when we would rather pick up the bundle of troubles and to be reminded to carry one stick of trouble at a time.
All the worries and troubles of an entire year of life are life a giant pile of sticks. And each day, God hands us a single stick to carry for the entirety of the day. At the end of each day we return to God and return the stick to him. The next day, we wake up and God hands us another stick. Each day has its own stick, not more and not less than we can handle. Occasionally, we come to God and we ask him to hand us today's stick and tomorrow's, and by the end of the day we seem tired and beaten but we return again to God to give him back the sticks. And some days, we feel haughty and sure so we ask for a week's worth of sticks. And though God warns us, he hands us the sticks and tells us that he will be there to help us if we can't handle the sticks. We turn to God, smile, and proceed to take from him the sticks, tie them into a wide bundle, throw the bundle over our backs and leave for our day. At first, the bundle seems only annoyingly heavy but as the day bears on, the sticks begin to weigh on us as an ever-growing burden. Thus, by the end of the day, we can barely move and each step feels like a trudge throw the deepest of mired bogs until we finally collapse under the weight of bundle. As we lay there, beaten under the force of our own troubles bundled beyond our ability to care for them, God comes up behind us and picks the overwhelming bundle of sticks off us us with ease and helps us back to our feet.
The point is that, though our natural inclination is to take on today's, tomorrow's, and next week's challenges and worries, God has ordained that we should not take on more than what we can handle, for each day has enough trouble for itself (Matt. 6:34), and we should only attempt to take on that which God has placed before us for the moment. God desires that we, in humility, press into Him to cover and care for our troubles and our worries. Let us then do so with consistency, clinging to Him to preserve us when we would rather pick up the bundle of troubles and to be reminded to carry one stick of trouble at a time.
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Waking Up to God
Sometimes the warm cocoon of bedding is nearly impossible to leave. When the alarm clock rings its obnoxious clatter in a concerted effort to either wake me up or just make me angry. Often times it feels more like the latter, and I would rather just stay in bed, holed up against the world hidden behind a covering of blanketed bliss. Unfortunately, as much as any of us would prefer to remain cuddled in a cocoon of covers, life persistently calls us to crawl out and meet the day.
This seems a most appropriate metaphor for belief. Though we would rather hang around in the coma of comfort behind the veil of sinful slumber, God beckons the unbeliever to leave their state of eternal night and to step into the eternal light of His glory. The fleshly, natural self is asleep (dead) to God because of sin. But God calls for us to awaken.
Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians, speaks to this regard. He paraphrases Isaiah, "Awake, O Sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine upon you (Eph. 5:14)." This is fundamental. God desires to light our lives, to illuminate us with the glory of His majesty. However, unless we, by faith, crawl out of our comatose cocoons of sinful slumber, we will be ever-unable to receive Him.
In a sense, we have an advocating heavenly alarm clock in the Holy Spirit who is ringing in an effort to prompt us to awaken from our sin. And, like being awoken in the morning, we have a choice to make: will we either hit the snooze and pull the covers of unbelief over our heads to sleep for all eternity in hell, or will we heed to the prompting of God and awake to meet His day and His light? These are the two choices, and they have everlasting consequences. We should be compelled to awaken so as to embrace the day that the Lord has made, which is belief in the Son, Christ Jesus.
A brief note is in order for those who have already chosen the latter. For those of who have already made our choice to awake from our sinful slumbers and to leave the ignorant envelop of our walking death, there is a sincere and distinct task to wake up those who are still asleep. It is our obligation to the world to, by the empowering of the Holy Spirit, announce that the day has come in Christ Jesus and that everyone should be made awake in order to leave the darkness of death and to live in the light of the Lord. Let us then take seriously the call to awaken to the Lord and to wake others up too!
This seems a most appropriate metaphor for belief. Though we would rather hang around in the coma of comfort behind the veil of sinful slumber, God beckons the unbeliever to leave their state of eternal night and to step into the eternal light of His glory. The fleshly, natural self is asleep (dead) to God because of sin. But God calls for us to awaken.
Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians, speaks to this regard. He paraphrases Isaiah, "Awake, O Sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine upon you (Eph. 5:14)." This is fundamental. God desires to light our lives, to illuminate us with the glory of His majesty. However, unless we, by faith, crawl out of our comatose cocoons of sinful slumber, we will be ever-unable to receive Him.
In a sense, we have an advocating heavenly alarm clock in the Holy Spirit who is ringing in an effort to prompt us to awaken from our sin. And, like being awoken in the morning, we have a choice to make: will we either hit the snooze and pull the covers of unbelief over our heads to sleep for all eternity in hell, or will we heed to the prompting of God and awake to meet His day and His light? These are the two choices, and they have everlasting consequences. We should be compelled to awaken so as to embrace the day that the Lord has made, which is belief in the Son, Christ Jesus.
A brief note is in order for those who have already chosen the latter. For those of who have already made our choice to awake from our sinful slumbers and to leave the ignorant envelop of our walking death, there is a sincere and distinct task to wake up those who are still asleep. It is our obligation to the world to, by the empowering of the Holy Spirit, announce that the day has come in Christ Jesus and that everyone should be made awake in order to leave the darkness of death and to live in the light of the Lord. Let us then take seriously the call to awaken to the Lord and to wake others up too!
Monday, March 19, 2012
Working for the Lord
Not everyone has been called to full-time vocational ministry. However, no matter what our job may be, we are all called to work for the Lord (Col. 3:22-23). This can be a very challenging proposition when Christians enter the ever-secularizing workforce, particularly the business world. Because of this, a theology of work that is practical will be the purpose of this dialogue.
At the onset, it needs to be said that there is no hierarchy of vocations in the Kingdom. This can seem like a radical assertion but it is truth. Certainly some people are called to devote the whole of their lives to ministry; however, this in no way means that they are holier or closer to the Lord. We are all called to love, to witness, and to devote ourselves to the Lord by faith. If this was ever in question, remember that God used fishermen, political zealots, tentmakers, tax collectors, military officers, and physicians to grow His Church (this is not an exhaustive list but the point is clear).
If we think of Jesus teaching on being salt and light (Matt. 5:13-16), it is clear that we are all called to be salt and light, not just the full-time ministers. This means that people in the business world are to be salt and light to the world with as much vigor as the janitor or the teacher. The nagging question then becomes: how do we do this? To answer this, some points on methodology should be made.
For starters, we must do our jobs with excellence, understanding that the quality of our work and the integrity with which we do it is a direct reflection on the Lord. We are accountable first to Him for our work ethic. Therefore, if we cut corners or do not pursue excellence, we are not serving Him wholeheartedly and, ultimately, we make God out to be less-than-first in our lives. In other words, our devotion to Him is directly tied to the manner with which we work. Good Christians should be, then, the best employees.
Secondly, we need to be prepared to give account for the grace and joy that permeates our work. If we are living out our faith, we will be filled with the Spirit, exuding joy, peace, hope, and love. This will inevitably draw others to examine us and wonder. When this happens, we need to be ready to give our testimony. We need to speak our faith as much as we act our faith. This does not necessarily mean that we will prepare a three-point sermon with a multimedia presentation, but we will be ready to give a sincere account for the grace in which we stand and that guides our lives.
Something must also be said about office culture. If we find ourselves regularly engaging in any activity that could be construed as sinful or unbecoming of godliness, then we need to repent and stop. As Christians, the people of the world will scrutinize our every action and word so as to point out our sinfulness and hypocrisy. They do this in order to overlook their own guilt and shame before God.
Practically speaking, this means that the people of the world will consistently test us and tempt us to "join in" in the name of office camaraderie. Lying, gossiping, usurping authority, and cussing are a few examples of the multitude of ways that the world will try to pull us away from Christ and into the playing field of the enemy. Because of this, we need to be on guard against any potential threats to our relationship with Christ as well as disciplined to put out the potential fires of temptations before we find ourselves engaged in sin.
In conclusion, the workplace presents the ripest fields for longterm planting, watering, and harvesting souls for Christ. God gives us specific vocational roles and fields to live out the Word and preach the Gospel to people in a closed-circuit situation so that we can invest in people who have an opportunity to see us live out our faith with consistency over time. This is an awesome thing as well as a distinct responsibility to live above reproach in the workplace. We are living for Him, this should be the underlying force that causes everything, work included. Let us then press forward to be salt and light at work and to live out our Christlikeness in word and deed in the workplace!
Monday, February 27, 2012
Work as Worship
Distractions abound in a world full of relative truth and widespread irreverence. Antithetical to this secular reality is the intended state of the Kingdom, grounded in the absolute truth of Jesus characterized by a humble reverence to the Holy Lord. Because of this, Christians are called to be aware of the distractions but not led away by them. This being said, perhaps no area of life is more effected by humanity's propensity for distraction than work.
One of the distinct marks of a fully-devoted Christian is a diligent work ethic. More astutely, a Christian should have a zeal for work and a tireless attitude towards any task. The reason for this truth is simple: the manner with which a Christian does his/her work is directly related to obedience, faith, and devotion. Our work is not simply or even primarily a human endeavor; rather, it is our lot and worship to the Lord.
Because a Christian's work is intimately tied to his/her worship of the Lord Almighty, it should come as no surprise that the enemy of our souls, Satan, works hard to hinder our work ethic, and thus our worship. Enter distraction. If we take seriously then the reality of work as worship, distraction begins to be seen for what it actually is: spiritual attack aimed at hindering believer's worship.
When we begin to recognize that distractions are spiritual in nature, then the prospect of distraction will be met with an awareness of the cost. Ultimately, the cost of distraction is relational, in that our relationship with the Lord is hurt. Therefore, work should be done with full diligence and with a supernatural focus, because God is the boss who we are working for.
Luckily, the beauty of a good work ethic is joy. Solomon, in Ecclesiastes and Proverbs, speaks to the supreme joy that is work (Pro. 14:23; Ecc. 3:22, 8:15). This makes sense. If work is worship and worship is joyful, then work should be joyful too. Distraction then not only hinders our worship but, as a result, hinders our joy. No matter the gratification to be had from distractions, they pale to the cost of a loss of joy and a separation from worship.
To be sure, some distractions can be God prodding us forward. However, this should not be thought of as normative nor should this prevent us from working diligently at what God has put before us now. Ultimately, we are working for the Lord (Col. 3:23). Thus at the final analysis, we should take on an attitude of focus so as to remain obedient in worshipful work amidst distraction.
One of the distinct marks of a fully-devoted Christian is a diligent work ethic. More astutely, a Christian should have a zeal for work and a tireless attitude towards any task. The reason for this truth is simple: the manner with which a Christian does his/her work is directly related to obedience, faith, and devotion. Our work is not simply or even primarily a human endeavor; rather, it is our lot and worship to the Lord.
Because a Christian's work is intimately tied to his/her worship of the Lord Almighty, it should come as no surprise that the enemy of our souls, Satan, works hard to hinder our work ethic, and thus our worship. Enter distraction. If we take seriously then the reality of work as worship, distraction begins to be seen for what it actually is: spiritual attack aimed at hindering believer's worship.
When we begin to recognize that distractions are spiritual in nature, then the prospect of distraction will be met with an awareness of the cost. Ultimately, the cost of distraction is relational, in that our relationship with the Lord is hurt. Therefore, work should be done with full diligence and with a supernatural focus, because God is the boss who we are working for.
Luckily, the beauty of a good work ethic is joy. Solomon, in Ecclesiastes and Proverbs, speaks to the supreme joy that is work (Pro. 14:23; Ecc. 3:22, 8:15). This makes sense. If work is worship and worship is joyful, then work should be joyful too. Distraction then not only hinders our worship but, as a result, hinders our joy. No matter the gratification to be had from distractions, they pale to the cost of a loss of joy and a separation from worship.
To be sure, some distractions can be God prodding us forward. However, this should not be thought of as normative nor should this prevent us from working diligently at what God has put before us now. Ultimately, we are working for the Lord (Col. 3:23). Thus at the final analysis, we should take on an attitude of focus so as to remain obedient in worshipful work amidst distraction.
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