Theology of Work – 5

Presented by Lauren Stibgen

With all this talk about how important work is to God and for the kingdom, it may feel like a heavy burden as a follower of Jesus. But you are not called to doing good works and making disciples alone! We should work, yoked with Jesus, walking with him and considering his ways. Christ gives us a clear example of how to love others well.

Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; steadfast love and faithfulness go before you (Psalm 89:14).

Think about the people Jesus loved in the Gospels. They were never perfect, and neither are you and I! Think about how Jesus took time to see people. Whether it was Zaccheus, the tax man of small stature up in a tree, or the bleeding woman crawling down in the dirt to just touch Jesus’s robe. Are there people you need to take time to see?

Jesus was very good at seeing one person at a time. In the busyness of our work, it is easy to forget the people involved as we move from meeting to meeting and project to project. Just like you and me, they have feelings about work, and things happening in life we may or may not know about.

Pause for a moment and think of your workplace. What would change if you thought about your boss or colleagues like Jesus would? What do you see?

Righteousness, justice, steadfast love and faithfulness: while we can never measure up to the perfect Jesus Christ, we can choose to reflect his love better every day at work.

Maybe this feels heavy, and you don’t know where to start. Thinking about making disciples at work may be new to you and that is alright!

In Matthew 11:28-29, Jesus calls us in our work to come to him when we are weary and heavy laden; he can give us rest. He tells us to take his yoke upon us and to learn from him. He is gentle and lowly in heart. In Jesus, we find rest for our souls. His yoke is easy, and his burden is light.

Turn to Jesus as you consider God’s plans for your work. He wants to come alongside you and guide you!