What is work?
After reading Drew’s post titled “rest well: the importance of sabbath”, I was inspired to explore a little bit of what work really is. See, to have a day of rest means that we need to do something, right?
What does God want us to do? A crowd that was listening to Jesus speak asked Him that very question. His answer? “This is what God wants you to do: Believe in the one He has sent.” This can be found in John 6:28-29. Wow, believing in Jesus is what we must do? That’s pretty profound, especially in this day and age where most of us define ourselves by what we ‘do’ – such as our careers or major hobbies.
Think about it – what’s one of the first questions you ask someone when you first meet them? That’s right, what do you do for a living? What are some typical answers? Network administrator, construction worker, preacher, teacher, nurse, nagelschmiedmeister (that’s a person who makes nails), etc etc etc.
So, if you are a follower of Jesus and you take heed to what He said above, think about how you are going to answer the question of ‘what do you do’ next time you are asked. Instead of saying ‘I’m a gandy dancer (one who tramps gravel between newly laid railroad ties)’ consider saying ‘I believe in Jesus.’
interesting thought. i have argued for a couple of months now that we should not be known for what we do…rather for who we are. now, that doesn’t mean that being a christian and spreading the love of God isn’t what we do and that we should be known for it. rather, our society is one that has learned to validate itself by product. i am a nagelschmiedmeister. i make nails! WRONG! it so happens that as an occupation you make nails. it should not define who you are on this earth or in the kingdom. now, there is no problem with having pride in what you do or having a strong work ethic. we just shouldn’t be so quick to label ourselves by the product we make at work…or something like that.
Drew
That reminds me of a story about three guys that were standing over the casket of a friend. The first guy asked his friends what they would want people to say when they were standing over their casket. number two said he would like to have them say that he was a wise man and a good father. number one said he would like for them to say he was an excellant educator and dedicated his life to children. The third guy said he wants them to say “Look he’s moving”. So it all boils down to what they will say when you are gone. I’m hoping for the last one.