Joy In Work

You’ve probably worked with a guy like Bill. You’re working away when you hear him say out loud, “Just trying to make it to Friday.” Outside his cubicle, co-workers laugh. It was Monday . . . and he was already looking forward to Friday.

Isn’t that how it goes? Sometimes we just need to get through the week. I certainly know the feeling. Especially on a week like last week, and the week before that. “Life is more than work,” we say, and we separate ourselves from our jobs. Work becomes something we just need to get through.

You know why we feel that way? There’s a reason for it. After disobeying God, Adam and Eve experienced his judgment. God said, “By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread.” (Genesis 3:19) And it’s for that reason, that labor is hard. That’s why we call it LABOR. It can be exhausting. Especially as we get older. I can’t do near the things outside in the yard that I used to do without having to take rest breaks. Labor can be exhausting.

But there’s another picture of labor in Scripture. A vision where work is not something we get through, but something we give through. Do you know what I’m talking about?

When God first made the world, He placed Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. In Genesis 2:15, we are told, “The Lord God took theman and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and keep it.” He gave them work to do. This work wasn’t a result of sin. It’s hard for us to realize it but it was actually part of God’s plan, a blessing from God.

Obviously, God didn’t need human labor to keep the Garden maintained. After all, it was already perfect when He assigned the job to Adam and Eve. After all, God had just created the world. Why, then, did He put Adam and Eve to work?

I think it’s because God wanted to share His joy in working. Adam and Eve would make something and see that it was good. After spending several hours out in the yard mowing, and trimming, and raking, and spraying, I stand back and look it over and I kind of see how God felt when He said, “It is good.” I get pleasure seeing all I have accomplished. In the same way, Adam and Eve would give through work and discover joy in a job well done.

Then I stop a moment and think about how God gives through His work. He took the dust of the ground into His hands. He breathed into that dust and gave it life. God breathes into us the breath of life as well. Then God didn’t stop there with that. He continued to give through His work by taking the sins of the world upon His back. Jesus dies and gives new life—life that is renewed in the joy of work.

So you see, there is such a thing as joyful work. Not as joyful as it was for Adam and Eve before they sinned. But still, we can be renewed that in God’s plan, us working is part of that plan.

During His ministry, Jesus renewed people for work. Think about Zacchaeus. He was a tax collector in Jericho. Making a living by taking from others. After meeting Jesus, however, his life was changed. Beginning that day, the world was a place where he showed God’s grace by giving to others.

Forgiveness renews us for labor. God invites us to enjoy His world by working in it. Making a living by giving through work, making a living by giving through work.

So, you see, the next time you are wiping that sweat from your forehead and you’re exhausted from a long a tedious job, step back and thank God for what you have, and for the job you accomplished. Let God renew your joy through that job well done.