Your work is valuable

Work doesn’t sound very glorious or spiritual, but it’s actually one of the most spiritual things you can do. On Labor Day in the United States, we take a moment to celebrate all of our workers. We honor the builders of the homes we live in and the builders of the bridges crossing our highways. We honor the ones preparing the burgers we munch on and the ones washing the dirty dishes. Workers come in all sizes and assignments, and they are all valuable.

Do you believe your labor is in vain? Do you think your career is insignificant in the big scheme of things? God doesn’t! The Bible tells us that God anointed architects and interior designers: “‘and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills— to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of crafts… Also I have given ability to all the skilled workers to make everything I have commanded you’” (Exodus 31:3-6, NIV).  

He says in His Word you were created to do good works: “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:10, NIV)

I struggled with this concept until one day while I was working a summer job. University tuition was due in just a few months, and I had to hustle to get the money for my studies. I had accepted a dirty job digging ditches around an old home. I was complaining to God about the work I had done. I’d washed dishes at a college, repaired broken tombstones, mowed lawns, unloaded bags of wheat from a freight train, and laid bricks for driveways. I felt like I would never live my dreams. 

Have you ever felt like this? I admit I had a bad attitude, but God straightened it out with one verse: “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.” (Colossians 3:23-24, NKJV) The Spirit spoke to my mind right in the middle of my doubt and discouragement. Wow! God is so good.

You may feel your work is mundane and useless at times, but I’ve discovered it’s not what you do but how you do it. The Bible says, “‘He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much.’” (Luke 16:10, NKJV) Be faithful in the small things in life, and watch how it becomes part of the Great Commission.

Because you’re a miracle.