We have a duty to bring more life and goodness into the world. And this starts at home. But it also requires more than just serving our family. As such, we must learn to accept the perpetual tension between our responsibilities at home and our duty to the outside world.
On the one hand, we were created to work. And it’s through work that we find a sense of meaning and purpose as we impact the world for good. But we’re also relational to our core. And all our work achievements mean nothing if we don’t have personal relationships to share life with as well.
Our challenge is to honor both sources of meaning without neglecting one for the other.
For instance, all too often work becomes an idol and we pursue career advancement to the neglect of our family, friends, and very souls. Certainly, we shouldn’t sacrifice time with our loved ones just to make a name for ourselves at work. And this is true even in remaining committed to the deep work God has called us to do.
At the same time, protecting quality time with our loved ones doesn’t mean we neglect our duty to work. And even beyond simply meeting our basic needs, engaging in meaningful work sets the example that life is not just about us. We have a duty to our communities and not just the happiness of our own household.
We err when we make life just about work. And it’s also an error to make an idol of our home life.
To be sure, our home life needs to be a priority. There’s good here only we can provide. All the same, we have the responsibility to remind our family of God’s larger story and our respective parts to play in it. And engaging in meaningful work helps to model this for them.
In the end, you have duties at home and at work and one should not be neglected for the other. Hold the tension of these dual responsibilities to continue bringing goodness throughout your life and relationships.
Photo by TheStandingDesk on Unsplash
