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Spiritual Development August 2017

Recognize the Spirituality of Work

by Donald Whitney

         Bill often wonders whether he is a second-class Christian because of the less-than-Christian atmosphere where he works. His occupation is good and necessary for society, but it’s also one in which liars, cheats, and thieves seem to flourish. Vulgar and          blasphemous language typically fills the air of Bill’s workplace.

For other believers, the problem at work is not a godless environment; it’s the    gnawing lack of meaning to their labor. They trudge through tedious days on a job that often feels intolerably unimportant.

Can followers of Jesus work in these conditions and still maintain a close relationship with Him? Or is the Lord somewhat disappointed in them because of where they work or what they do?

God ordained work. Before sin entered the world, “the Lord God took the man [Adam] and put him in the Garden of Eden to tend and keep it” (Genesis 2:15). All kinds of work—paid and unpaid—are necessary in the world for us “to subdue it”   according to God’s will (Genesis 1:28). People must grow food, care for children, make clothes, tend the sick, construct buildings and roads, transport goods, govern the cities, and so forth. Obviously, therefore, God intends for most people to devote themselves to what’s often called “secular” employment. Only a small percentage should be vocational pastors, church-planting missionaries, and the like (even though more are needed). Otherwise, who’d work the fields, deliver the mail, build ships and cars, develop water systems, and make medicines?

Because God has ordained it, all work has a spiritual dimension. The Bible repeatedly commends useful, honest labor (see Ephesians 4:28; 1 Thessalonians 4:11; 2 Thessalonians 3:10), which shows God’s intense      interest in it. When we actively recognize His presence in our workplace, we acknowledge His sovereignty over all of life. And that’s basic to true spirituality.

Even if your daily responsibilities may seem dull and unimportant, or cause you to associate with and  support worldly, God-hating people, remember that “the Lord takes pleasure in His people” (Psalm 149:4). And He takes pleasure in us not just at church, but at work, too. He’s as attentive to us in our work routines as He was to Joseph in his service as Potiphar’s slave, to Jesus in the carpentry shop, and to the apostle Paul when he was making tents.

Work is not a hindrance to spirituality; it is a part of it. Even slaves were instructed by Paul not to fear that their awful condition in any way diminished their spiritual standing with God (see 1 Corinthians 7:22). Our     spirituality depends upon who we are in Christ, not the circumstances of our workplace. God’s presence and   favor are not limited by coworkers or job descriptions.

Enlarge your vision of your spiritual life to include your daily work. “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ” (Colossians 3:23-24). Present your work to God. You are working for Him.

(Excerpted from Simplify Your Spiritual Life by Donald Whitney)

Spare Change August 2017

A vast majority of people in this world are lonely.  They long for a sense of belonging.  They crave community.  This was never clearer than when I recently went on a mission trip with the students to Chicago.  One of the greatest concerns that church planters come across is loneliness.  In a city of roughly 3 million people how can one feel so alone?  It is true there are people everywhere; that fact was very clear to us as we worked in the different communities and traveled to and from our lodging.  It was intense how many people were in the city and, if I’m honest, it kind of got to me by the end of the week.   When we left I was never so happy to see fields of corn and the     significantly less cluttered highways of Indiana.  Living in the city of Chicago would definitely      require some adapting; which is why so many people can move there for work and never have a  truly meaningful relationship with another soul.  It is so easy to get up and go to work with your head buried in your phone, carry on about your day and head back home—alone.

While this problem can be exacerbated in a large city it is also a factor in your city.  There are scores of people, just like you and me, that are lonely.  They might even be married and the only other person they know in a meaningful way is their spouse.  Of course, there are some that are very fortunate to grow up and live in their hometown, they have friends and family galore.  They may even take for granted the close proximity of their family.  For transplants like myself it can be much harder.

The older I get the more I see the absolute necessity for community.  Kristi and I have had to work hard to forge deep, meaningful relationships.  We have the added challenge of being a couple in ministry and knowing everyone, but not really knowing them.  We don’t want to let our guard down too much, afraid that   people might see our flaws.  Which ironically enough works the other way as well.  Despite all of this we have produced   meaningful relationships with many people.  Many that we now think of as family. 

This would not have been possible without the opportunity for community that the church offers.  I want to emphasize the word “opportunity” because just because you go to a church doesn’t mean you have community with other people.  You can go to church for years with the same people and never get past the surface. It takes diligent, intentional work to grow       meaningful relationships.  You must invite people over, do things with them, and share with them.  It seems so simple but in a world where so many people are struggling with loneliness we need to get back to connecting with others.  My life group has been a god-send in this area.  We feel so close to our group, they are truly like family.  But it only happened when we opened our home and subsequently opened our lives.  We had to show people our faults, our eccentricities, our likes/dislikes; they had to choose to accept us, warts and all.  This can be scary for many people but the reward of biblical community is beyond worth it.

I am a firm believer that God designed us for community, with Him and with other people.  We need it, we crave it, and we can see it in the epidemic that is loneliness. God knows this and that is why he designed the church to meet that need.  Don’t run away from relationships, don’t put your guard up. Lean into them and experience the church as it is meant to be.  The cure for loneliness is you!

 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.  Hebrews 10:24-25