By David Williamson.
In the creation narrative, it is said that humankind was created in the image of God and then immediately given a task: “Let them have dominion.” (Genesis 1:26) The Creator invites – no, directs – the creature to enter into a partnership to manage creation and develop the world. We are called to exercise faithful stewardship for the benefit of all humankind and for the glory of God.
This is not the only time God invites us to join him in his work. God does this in the Old and New Testaments, and indeed throughout history. God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself and has given us the ministry of reconciliation (II Corinthians 5:19). God works through his people for the re-creation of God’s peaceful, harmonious community of love and life.
Work for God
From very beginning to now, our daily work was intended to be the continuation of and participation in God’s work. All our occupational endeavors are a means of working with God. God made us to participate in his creating, developing, managing and reconciling work.
Work Like God
As we do God’s work, we are called to do it (within the context of our humanness) like God. We are not expected or called to be “like God” in a vain attempt to transcend our limited human nature. That brings disaster; it comes with its own failure built in, and is unnecessary – in fact, it is sinful. As we remember that God is God, our vocation is to live out God’s purposes within our limitations.
We are to work with creativity, love and excellence that in small ways reflects the creator and the excellence of Jesus, his only Son. As Christians we are to be like Christ, who demonstrates that God is the servant leader. With this commitment and with joy, he takes on the whole cost of compassion and community-building, and gives his life for the sake of others – for the wellbeing of the world.
So, we do our daily work not only “for” God abut we also do it “like” God, skillfully and sacrificially. Indeed working “like” Jesus, we give ourselves. We do our work for the wellbeing of the world.
Usually, the circumstances of our work are rather ordinary, but they are never totally so. Certainly our work is not mundane in the sense of meaningless. In some situations it might indeed be extraordinary, even heroic. While heroes emerge in a particular and sometimes-dramatic moment, they are developed slowly over time, through their faithfulness, being and doing what they are called to do and be long before the extraordinary moment arrives.
Work with God
As ordinary Christians in the ordinary experiences of our everyday lives, as Christians living out the high calling of our daily work, we in fact work with God. On the assembly line, in the boardroom, at the office or in the kitchen, we discover that the living, ever-present Christ comes alongside us to guide, empower and encourage; perhaps to challenge us, and certainly to befriend us, in our work
We can count on God always being with us. We are never alone: “Lo I am with you always,” Jesus promises. The Holy Spirit is with us, providing the resources needed to do the work well, with excellence and faithfulness. It is God’s work, and it is for the world that God loves.
Whatever the task, put yourself into it, as work done for the Lord….And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him (Colossians 3:23 and 3:17)
All Work is for God, like God and with God, because it all reflects the image of God. It is thus the “high calling” of our daily work.
The Green Room 