It’s nice to take a day off from time to time. And certainly it’s good to remember life is not dependent on us, and we can freely receive what others have to offer as well. But we were still created to work and we find our soul satisfaction when we’re doing the work God has called us to do.
To be sure, work is part of how we provide for our families.
We have the responsibility to care for our own. And we neglect this duty when we’re lazy or constantly look to others to take care of us rather than learning how to stand on our own two feet.
But more than just providing for the basic needs of our home, work is also how we contribute to our larger communities.
Here the point is not so much earning an income, but rather building communities that are more humane, just, and beautiful.
Sometimes this work is the same as our 9 to 5. But often we have to make tents in order to serve our true calling elsewhere.
Whatever it looks like, the point remains the same that work is not just about us and serving our immediate family. We also have the responsibility to bring more life and goodness into the world.
But it’s here that we find deep purpose and meaning as well.
There’s a reason many men die shortly after retirement. They’ve lost their sense of meaning.
This doesn’t mean we have to stay at our 9 to 5 forever. But in each season of life there is still meaningful work to do, whether in youthful strength or with aged wisdom.
We become restless and destructive when we don’t stay grounded in creative work.
Find the joy in working hard and making an impact for good. This act of faith not only blesses you, but the world as well.
Photo by Will Suddreth on Unsplash
