Approaching our work differently—why we should and how to get started
By Dean Collins
From the time I was a young boy, I worked. Both my mom and dad had jobs, and they were pretty clear about the tasks I had to complete each day besides my school work. I washed dishes, mowed the yard, did laundry, learned to cook, and took out the trash. Looking back, I’ll say it probably was a bit excessive for someone in elementary school, but I did learn how to work.
I don’t recall the first time I ever heard of retirement. But fairly early in life I noticed most of the people I knew who were retired still had plenty of work they did each day. Papa, as I called my adopted grandfather, is a good example. He was retired by the time I first met him, but I always remember him working. His shop was in the garage, and he was always fixing or building something. And then there was the yard and the grapefruit and orange trees to tend so they would produce each season. I would saddle up beside him and work, but it felt different than when I was at home alone doing my daily chores. We worked together and the work was full of joy.
Work: God’s gift
God initiated work at the beginning. We know the creation story well, but sometimes I think we miss that Adam and Eve had work to do even in the Garden of Eden. God did the work of creation, but the man and woman he created became his partners in work. God blessed Adam and Eve and told them to have kids and have dominion over the earth and the sea. Genesis 2:15 even uses the word work and indicates that, even in this garden paradise, there was work to do.
God would do his part sustaining the earth, but we were given responsibility as well. Work was always intended to be a divine collaboration. Just as I never complained when working beside my Papa, we were intended to enjoy companionship with God as we collaborate in the work he’s given us.
Work became more difficult after the Fall. Disobedience had its consequences, and we still groan with all of creation as our work so often is filled with stress and strain and sweat, thistles and thorns and toil. According to Genesis 3:19, the weariness of work continues until death.
Work: a perfect partnership
When Jesus came to earth he initiated a new kingdom. On the cross he did the work of redemption that began the renewal and restoration of both mankind and the earth. And Scripture is filled with every indication that when Jesus returns he will complete this process. If Heaven is a fully renewed, back-to-the-Garden-of-Eden state, then I suspect we will be given the same responsibility Adam and Eve had in Genesis 2 to work the Garden. But the work will no longer have the toil and agony introduced by the Fall. We will once again be in perfect partnership with the God of Heaven.
But here is good news for our time in between the Garden and Heaven. Jesus made us an offer that promises assistance with our current workload. According to Matthew 11:28-30, Jesus offers a yoke to create a partnership in our current labors. And the by-product of this well-fitted yoke is that we will experience rest. Our burdens may seem heavy, but Jesus said his burden is light. Given a choice between a heavy and light backpack, the decision should be easy. Yet we often stubbornly insist on carrying the heavy load.
Work is routine, and it will be for eternity. But we can’t forget that rest was initiated by God in the Garden as well. Rest doesn’t mean the absence of work as the Pharisees insisted. Yes, God ordained rest, but Jesus told the Pharisees in John 5 that both he and his Father are always working.
God initiated rest, too.
God ordained rhythms of rest that we’d do well to follow. A good first step is stopping our insistence that our efforts are always necessary. God doesn’t need our work to accomplish his purpose. God is fully capable. The beauty of Sabbath rest and of daily work are the same. God carries what we cannot, and his partnership in work allows us to be productive without the agonizing burden.
Maybe that memory of working in the yard and in the shop with my Papa will help me remember the satisfaction that comes to our work in partnership. Being yoked with Jesus doesn’t eliminate work, but it balances the load and brings fulfillment and joy.
Maybe a better goal than retirement is simply learning how to wear the yoke Jesus offered so that even in our work we find rest for our souls.
Your time with God’s Word
Genesis 1:28-30; 2: 15-18; 3:17-19; John 5:16, 17; Matthew 11:28-30 ESV
Photos by Pan Species and Jon Tyson on Unsplashon Unsplash
