How to Restore the Whistle in Your Work
Hi ho, hi ho, it’s off to work we go… Remember the seven dwarfs singing as they headed off to work? Does that describe your mornings?
Work Was Never the Curse
Unfortunately, sometimes we come to view our work—and ministry—as a necessary evil. Though the curse certainly added sweat and thorns to our labor, work is not part of the curse. When it seems that way, we may need a change in perspective.
Learning to Work and Rest with God
Do you have lots of tasks to juggle? Most ministry leaders do. The first couple managed a zoo, aquarium, farm, and botanical garden. They were also charged to rear a family.
Yet they were not overwhelmed.
Adam and Eve knew who owned the enterprise. They also knew their Creator was their Provider. He supplied everything they needed to prosper, including wisdom, strength, and sunshine. He prepared every detail for their prosperity. In fact, rest was part of His formula for success.
In their initial two days of life, God showed the first couple how to work and rest with Him. He created Adam on the sixth day and introduced him to his vocation. Imagine the fun they shared as Adam dreamed up names for every type of animal and bird God brought him. “I’ll call the striped one zebra and that fellow with the funny nose a rhinoceros.”
On Adam and Eve’s second day, God rested with them. Sadly, humankind’s fall into sin marred this relationship and brought a curse upon the earth. Pain accompanied the blessing of bearing children. Obstacles fretted away the delight of productive labor. Sin created power struggles within families.
Christ Restores Our Work
Christ came to restore our relationship with God and each other. One day, He’ll remove the curse from the earth (Romans 8:21). But even now, because of Christ, we can work and rest with God again.
Created for Good Work in Christ
“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago” (Ephesians 2:10 NLT).
When Work Becomes a Taskmaster
The curse of sin meant Adam’s work no longer guaranteed a bountiful harvest. Thick ropes of poisonous vines and briars now choked the fruit of Adam’s labor.
Sin infects every aspect of our lives. We, like Adam and Eve, feel our nakedness—exposure—in a dangerous and unpredictable world. To shield ourselves, we hide behind the fig leaves of busyness, accolades, and material possessions. Feeling vulnerable is one of the thorns of living in a fallen world.
Refocusing Work on Christ
The awareness of risk can cause us to look at work in an unhealthy manner. When work becomes a harsh taskmaster or usurps God’s rightful place as Lord and provider, it’s time to refocus. Are we expecting our jobs to supply what only God can give? Are we measuring our success based on what we can see versus a heart that seeks to please our Lord?
What difference would it make if you viewed Jesus as your provider and your work as worship? Would it help if you remembered the One who rules your ministry understands the pressures in your home? How would working to please gentle Jesus affect your attitude, energy, and motivation? Sometimes a simple switch in focus is all we need to restore our joy.
Working to Please the Lord
When Jesus commissioned Peter, He asked if Peter loved Him—not the ministry or even the sheep. After each affirmative answer, Jesus said, “Feed My lambs. Take care of My sheep.”
Like Adam and Eve, remembering who owns the ministry and supplies our resources lightens our load. We’re gardeners. He causes the growth. As we abide in Him, He supplies the motivation, energy, and resources we need to please Him.
“I cannot give you the formula for success, but I can give you the formula for failure, which is try to please everybody.” ~ Herbert Bayard Swope
Work as Worship, Not Performance
Paul learned he couldn’t serve Jesus and please people at the same time (Galatians 1:10). Serving two masters divides our hearts and steals the joy out of ministry. Let’s close with some biblical encouragement.
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving” (Colossians 3:23-24 NIV).
Finding Rest in Your Work
“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.For My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30 NASB).
What would working to please only Jesus this week be like? Perhaps you’ll find yourself whistling.
Adapted from Give Yourself a Break
Debbie W. Wilson and her husband Larry cofounded Lighthouse Ministries, a non-profit biblical counseling and Bible teaching ministry. Drawing from her personal walk with Christ, twenty-four years as a Christian counselor, and decades as a Bible teacher, Debbie speaks and writes to connect fellow sojourners to the heart of Christ. Connect with Debbie, enjoy free resources, and learn about her books, including Give Yourself a Break and Little Strength, Big God, at debbieWwilson.com.
