Work is…

In the past couple of days I have come across two reflections that have made me reflect more deeply on the meaning and significance of work.  In this post, I’d simply like to draw your attention to these resources and challenge you to jot down some of your own thoughts and ideas as you go about your daily work.  I’ve been trying to follow my own advice, and the impact has been helpful, especially as I make a transition to a new work assignment and city of residence.

The first piece comes from a former InterVarsity colleague, Pete Hammond, who has been instrumental in shaping the modern “ministry in daily life” movement.  A couple of years back he wrote a short reflection entitled “Jobs are…”, which is instructive on how we ought to think about our work as Christ followers, joys and toil, alike.  Here’s what Pete had to say:

“Jobs are… gifts from God… callings to honor God by serving co-workers, customers, suppliers.

Sacred opportunities and places for God to receive worship-filled work… invitations to use resources for the benefit of God and others.

Membership in a community of peers whom we can serve.  Chances to develop skills and gifts given to each of us by God.

Fraught with pain, sweaty toil and frustration since the Fall…

Not identical with our identity.  Much more than just a way to get a paycheck.  Not a long dark tunnel between leisure weekends.

Opportunities for delivering salt, light and leaven into broken places and troubled people.”

-Pete Hammond in Lessons, Prayers and Scripture on the Faith Journey(InterVarsity Ministry in Daily Life, 2007)

The second piece, by Peter Menzies, a national commissioner with the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission, is entitled 50 Things I Love about Business.  It appears in Comment Magazine, June 2008 (print edition), and the November 16, 2007, online edition.  I’ll let you find your way there via the link.  It is worth the trip, as Peter’s insights are very helpful, capturing both the exhilaration and pain we encouter as we pursue our work and callings as image bearers of God in a fallen, yet “being redeemed” world.