6. The nature of my work does not make it, or me, holy.

(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.) 

DO YOU SOMETIMES FEEL THAT YOUR VOCATION, YOUR JOB, OR YOUR “WORK”, (EVEN WHEN YOU AREN’T PAID) IS UNIMPORTANT TO JESUS?

IN MATTHEW 10:42 JESUS SAYS,  “AND IF ANYONE GIVES EVEN A CUP OF COLD WATER TO ONE OF THESE LITTLE ONES WHO IS MY DISCIPLE, TRULY I TELL YOU, THAT PERSON WILL CERTAINLY NOT LOSE THEIR REWARD.” ARE THERE WAYS WITHIN YOUR WORK WHERE YOU COULD, METAPHORICALLY, GIVE SOMEONE A CUP OF COLD WATER BECAUSE YOU LOVE JESUS AND KNOW THAT JESUS LOVES THEM?

IF YOU ARE IN A RECOGNIZED MINISTRY ASSIGNMENT, ARE THERE TIMES WHEN YOU DEPEND MORE ON WHAT YOU ARE DOING THAN HOW AND WHY YOU ARE DOING IT TO PLEASE JESUS, TO CONNECT WITH HIM?

IS THERE AN INVITATION FROM JESUS OR THE SPIRIT, DEEP INSIDE YOU AS YOU REFLECT ON THESE QUESTIONS?

For many Christians, there is a difference between work done for God, and work that is part of our non-church life. This dichotomy between the sacred and the secular has a long history and for many, is a reality today.

History has many examples of people separating themselves from culture to become more holy. The desert mothers and fathers chose to leave the city and move into the desert to avoid the secular life. Monasteries were created and still function to provide places for people to live a more sacred and set-apart life.

Church organizations provide many opportunities for people to use their effort to have sacred roles such as pastors, leaders, teachers, musicians, deacons, children’s teachers, caretakers, ushers, greeters, and many more. To give oneself for fulltime ministry is often considered the most holy of occupations. Along with this, value is given to those whose ministry positions require greater risk or sacrifice. We might think that a church planter has more risk, and therefore more respect, than the pastor called to an established church.

We may unconsciously hold that a missionary who leaves family to live cross-culturally has a special honor and one who serves in a country that opposes Christianity is even more honored. Admittedly this perception is not always true but often it is more present in us than we know or acknowledge. The consequence of this is that people who work in church roles may feel a sense of God’s favor while those who don’t, may struggle with a feeling of guilt. This is unfortunate and does not reflect how God sees our work.

What we do is less important than why and how we do it. Both the pastor and the plumber can experience God’s favor in their work, and both can work in ways counter to God’s goodness. If the goal of my work is to elevate myself either financially or in reputation, then it is likely not sacred. If my desire is to earn God’s favor, my work will fail to do so.

Nearly any occupation can be done in a way that both connects us to Jesus and reflects him to those we meet. What makes our work, and ourselves, holy or blessed is not what we do, but how we do what we do. The farmer who faithfully tends the soil, the person whose actions show concern for the earth, the executive who cares about the people who work under him or her, the schoolteacher, the delivery person, etc. can all use their vocations to honor God.

When our work brings us closer to God and brings glory to God, we experience his favor and blessing, regardless of the work.