common hope

I don’t think it would be hard to reason that work is a good thing. As I sit at a coffee shop I notice all the great things brought to me through the invention of a work-and-market system—clothes, chair, table, wi-fi, coffee, etc. It would probably be a moot question to start off asking, “Is work good?” After all, we enjoy the product of multiple types of work, and even need that work to sustain our life. Hence, by action, we prove our belief that work is a good thing.

So what is the real question behind our low value of work? Honestly, I think that will be complicated to uncover—there are probably too many roots to address them all. But maybe we can start with one at a time. Here is one I’ve found myself contemplating: “Is my work good enough? Is it sub-par?”

Imagine this Scenario: You come across a young man who has been affected by Jesus’ teachings. His whole view of life and relationships have now been flipped around. So much so that he tells you that he wants to spend the focus of his life loving God and loving others. What should he do? What would you recommend?

It’s funny. Most Christians hear someone talking like that and automatically say, “You should consider going to seminary.” Or “You should think about missions.” Neither of those suggestions are bad, but they may not be fair either. What’s hidden in those comments is the assumption that the work of loving God and loving others is reserved for full-time ministry. It may be subtle, but it’s there, and it damages the way we think about God and work. It certainly leaves the young man confused about his options.

One of the best sermons I ever heard about work was given by Tim Keller. He does a great job showing how God esteems secular work as an avenue for loving your fellow man, as you employ your unique talents and desires. I would refer you to Dr. Keller’s exposition of 1 Thessalonians 4:9-12 if you are interested to see how this is concluded [1]. For now, I will simply highlight one great story he uses to develop this idea…

Eric Liddell was a Scottish runner who competed in the 1924 Olympics and won the 400 meter race. He really was one of the best runners in the world. But there was something else about him. Eric was a Christian, who loved God and loved others. And, more than anything, he wanted to go over to China as a missionary. But because he was such a good runner, people kept compelling him to be an athlete and compete in the Olympics. The film, Chariots of Fire, was a documentary on the person of Eric Liddell, and in that film there is an interesting conversation Eric has with his sister, Jenny. Jenny was actually upset with Eric because she thought he was “playing around” by running, and not just going to China right away. He explains to her his view by saying, “I believe God made me for a purpose (to go to China), but he also made me fast. And when I run I feel His pleasure.”

Here Eric Liddell gives us a new view of work, suggesting a different take on how God feels about it. His view (which I agree with) suggests that when we use our God-given talents through work, we are loving God in a most significant way (we are carrying out our true design intention). Programming PLCs, Serving coffee, Encrypting network information, Teaching students, Designing airplanes, Competing in athletics, Creating art,… it’s all spiritual, and we experience God through this. I would take this a step further and even say that we are loving our neighbors too, since we are providing for the needs of people. This, to me, redeems the value of secular work; It gives us reason to believe our work is no longer sub-par, but weighty and significant. More than anything, it gives hope to people who want to love God and love others, because they are already doing it through the good of their work!

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[1] Keller, Tim. “Work.” Redeemer Presbyterian Church. http://sermons2.redeemer.com/sermons/work (July 7, 1996).

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