thoughts re: work

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about work, careers and the economy. Much of this is due to my relatively recent job change, which has brought me into the world of workforce and economic development. Given the state of the economy nationwide, and especially my home state of Michigan, there is much to think about. Issues such as downsizing, layoffs, plant closings and wage freezes all too often hit the front page of local media and my organization works daily in this arena as we try to match employers and prospective employees and be part of the solution to economic stability and growth.

My thoughts for this article though, are not primarily about my new job, but more about the role of work in our lives and our faith as Christians. Do Christians view work differently? Should Christians view work differently, and if so, what is that different perspective? What should be the role of work in our lives? How does our work impact others around us – our families, neighbors, co-workers, competitors, business partners, and communities?

For better or worse, much of our identity can be tied up in our work. How many of us lament the amount of time that we spend at our places at work – which reminds me of the somewhat humorous observation that as one approaches dying, that rarely does one express the desire that he or she had spent more time at work or in the office.

I categorize that saying as “somewhat humorous” because I’m not sure I totally agree with it. Now I’m not saying that I’m a workaholic or that I think I need to spend more time at the office (that may depend on which day we’re talking about). What I’m talking about here is more about the role of work in our lives and the meaning it has for us and those around us. Our work is obviously a means to providing for our families and sustaining our physical existence, but to me work is more than simply a means for providing for our physical needs, but is really a way of participating in God’s loving grace toward the world. Our work, more authentically conceived, is a means of engaging in God’s redemptive work and God’s reign in the world.

I like the way Eugene Peterson characterizes this idea in his book A Long Obedience in the Same Direction when he states that “The Bible begins with the announcement ‘In the beginning God created’ – not ‘sat majestic in the heavens,’ not ‘was filled with beauty and love.’ He created. He did something. He made something. He fashioned heaven and earth. The week of creation was a week of work.” God views work as part and parcel of who he made us to be. It was woven in His good creation. With that in mind work is not to be viewed as onerous, meaningless drudgery and simply as something to survive on the way to the weekend. Work is rooted in creation and is part of who are as creatures in God’s image. Through work, God allows us to participate in His creative process.

Pete Hammond builds on this idea when he says, “for too many generations the church has taught that work is the penalty for sin…when we view ourselves as trash and our work as irrelevant drudgery, spirituality disappears from everyday life. And we are doomed to perpetuate the shame Adam and Eve felt after the fall” (Working Under a Curse – Look Again!).

Often we forget that work is rooted in creation and not the fall. Work need not be drudgery or meaningless, but far too often it seems that way – maybe in our own lives or in the lives of those with whom we work. I believe that for those of us in social work and the human service arena there is a special emphasis on our work and its meaning for us, the people we help and the people we work with. As we counsel, coordinate, lead, organize and develop I think we have a special opportunity to help people participate in God’s creation and redemption through our work and theirs.

Too often going to work is filled with boredom, fear, anxiety, lack of meaning, or conflict. I think work should be an opportunity for people to shine, share creativity, build up one another and accomplish great purposes. That vision may never be fully realized in this age, but I definitely think that this is what God had in mind when He created work. Too often our view of work is shaped primarily by chasing a paycheck, dealing with demanding bosses, difficult co-workers or struggling with dead-end jobs and it is simply not fun, joyful or fulfilling. I agree with Alistair McKenzie and Wayne Kirkland in their great little article on work, “The significance of work for us as Christians lies in discerning ways in which we can express through our work stewardship, service, creativity, witness, truth- telling, preservation, healing, community-building, justice and peace-making” (Thinking Biblically About Work).

More people should have this opportunity and as social workers hopefully we can help build this reality in our places of work and influence. I know we will have a chance to look at the implications of forced labor and human trafficking at our 2008 convention – this is just one manifestation of the work to be done in this arena. Work is both a personal and an economic justice issue and there is no shortage of opportunity to focus on helping others experience some level of joy in their work. I would challenge us to follow the thinking of Dennis Bakke in his book The Joy of Work, “A mission statement that challenges people to create the world’s most fun place to work is essential for organizations that want their employees to have one of the most gratifying experiences in their lives. This end requires no other justification. However, for executives who can’t get the dollar signs out of their eyes, it’s worth noting that the link between fun and superior performance is extremely strong.” I encourage you to read Dennis’ book – it gives a wonderful perspective from a man who is engaged both in corporate work and mission/community development work.

I’ll leave you with this challenging quote from Dennis Peacock as you contemplate the place of work in your life and those around you, “The promise of a work free heaven is a heresy and reveals not only a lack of Biblical scholarship and knowledge of God, but it reveals a soul unable to find expression in the material world. Work is the incarnation of my intangible “soul” out into God’s cosmos” (Meet God the Worker).

May you experience God’s joy and passion in your work – whatever it may be, as you serve Him and others.