3. Besides connecting with him and becoming like him, Jesus calls me to create good things with him.
(Before looking at the questions below, take a few minutes to think about this statement. Invite Jesus to speak to you about what He would like you to notice.)
WOULD YOU SAY THAT YOUR VOCATION GIVES YOU JOY? CONTENTMENT? PEACE? EXPLAIN YOUR ANSWER.
HOW DO YOU EXPERIENCE GOD IN YOUR VOCATION?
IS YOUR VOCATION HELPING YOU “BECOME” A BETTER PERSON? IF SO, HOW?
HOW IS (OR HOW COULD) YOUR VOCATION HELPING YOU GROW IN YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS?
Humans were created to be creative. We are most alive when we are creating something. We were created by a creative God and we were created in God’s image to produce good things. God loves work and, like God, we were created to work and be productive. We have a creative gene in our DNA and we reflect our Creator when we use that gift.
People who love their work and find joy and meaning in their work are simply living out their created destiny and honoring their Creator. Artists and artisans who express themselves in their work reflect their God-image. Children at play reflect the lightness of their Creator as they intuitively create, even if it is an imaginary creation. Work ceases to be hard when we work in our God-created gifting and work is even more fulfilling when we work with the God who created us.
After God finished creating the physical universe and humanity, He noted that the finished product was “very good.” In effect, God told the Trinity, “good job!” Working with God to create good things brings much joy to us and to God. The Apostle Paul in Ephesians 2:10 says: “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
Not only does God enjoy work and desire to work with us, but God has prepared things for us to do together. How amazing! So much is in this verse: God loves work, God loves us, God has arranged things for us to do and the outcomes of our work are important. It is not that God needs our work, but our work is an important part of our life on earth.
Work can bring meaning to life, it can bring joy and satisfaction. Work provides opportunities for relationships, with others and with God. And when we work with God, the outcomes of our work provide goodness to others and to creation which causes God to smile and say, “good job!”