This was an immensely helpful book to me, especially when I was frustrated by the futility and tediousness of some national duties recently. And it certainly helps as a frame when scrolling through LinkedIn.
William Taylor, rector of St Helen’s Bishopsgate, London, reminds us that “whatever position or role we fulfil, we are accountable ultimately to God”. (Col 3:23)
“To believe that we will only fulfil our potential if we pursue a professional career and that anything else would be ‘beneath’ us is not only ugly but also pagan. All work is dignified, all work comes with responsibility, all work is good and all work is necessary.” Except any vocation that directly contravenes God’s word.
“God is not particularly concerned about what station we have been given, but he wants all of us to live a godly life.” Taylor makes a really good point that it is only in developed countries that we can ‘choose’ what job we want to do, and in some instances, spend an inordinate amount of time belly-aching about whether it is God’s will for us to be in this profession or another. In most developing countries, they just do whatever work there is, and whatever work will pay the bills.
“My observation is that this predominantly middle-class guillibility about work is what drives so many of us into changing jobs again and again. We are desperately wanting to find fulfilment and to realise our potential, but God never intended us to fulfil our potential through work. Nor did God ever intend us to find ultimate satisfaction in work.”
This was very encouraging to me – though I knew it at the back of my mind, it reminds me that I will never be fully satisfied with my work, and neither has God designed secular work to provide such satisfaction. So when days are hard in the office, or when everyone else seems to be having such a super time on LinkedIn, I remind myself – work is work and will always be work, this side of heaven.
As Christians, “we have a new boss, and we have a new goal: we aim to work with integrity, accountability, and an attitude of serving Christ.”
And more importantly, let us devote ourselves to the real work of harvesting for Christ, whereever He has placed us in this globe. We pray, we give, we speak the words that come from the Holy Spirit, and by His grace He will yield His harvest of chosen ones. For what is unseen is eternal.
“Superimposed over every activity there is work to be done for the Lord Jesus Christ as we bring His Word to others and do His work.” Ultimately, only work done for God’s kingdom will last in eternity, and everything else that we have built in this earth will fade away, taken over by moths, dust and rot.
10/10 ⭐️
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