Do you remember getting your first job? What comes to mind with that memory? Were you nervous? Did you feel like you’d “arrived” now that you had responsibility and money of your own? Did you feel like it was a gift, or did you see yourself on the bottom rung and think it was hardly worth your time?

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When I had my first job, it was working for my parents’ business. I made $3.35 an hour – which dates me! Because it was a family business, I was both expected to work and given responsibilities above others my age. I didn’t have to go through an application process! When I got my first teaching job, a resume and interview were new to me – and terrifying. But when I got that “real” job, I thought I’d hung the moon. I would never have imagined as 22-year-old me what jobs were in my future or how God would work to bring me to where I am now.  

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What about your job today? Does it bring you joy or suck you dry? Do you look forward to the challenges you’ll face each day or wish you could pull the covers back over your head and have them all go away? In different seasons of our lives, we may find ourselves in new roles or with growing responsibilities. We may feel the pressure to work to provide for our families – no longer excited about the pocket money we were earning as teenagers.  

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How often have you stopped to think about what God says about work and to invite him into this part of your life? The reality is that we often think work is work and don’t allow Him access or invite Him into the struggle.

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Today kicks off a new series called “Men, We Need You.” While this may seem like it’s only for men, please don’t tune out. Even though we’re focusing in on building up men and encouraging them to step boldly into their biblical calling, we believe God has something for everyone in this series.

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Today’s verse is from Genesis chapter 2. Man had just been created and formed at the end of chapter 1, and immediately, God places the man and gives him a specific purpose. Adam is placed in the Garden of Eden for two purposes, according to Genesis 2:15 - to work and watch over it. From the very beginning, God designed mankind with a purpose. Work is much more than a job. It is more than providing for oneself. When we see work as part of our DNA and God’s design, isn’t that freeing and encouraging?!

Stop for a moment and think about your current job. What would happen if you began to see this “job” within the framework of God’s design? Would it perhaps take on more significance? Did you notice that God had two purposes – work and watch over, or protect. What would it look like for you to not only do your job but also see protection and care as part of that work? Would you maybe care more for the people you work with or the work you accomplish?

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In his letter to the church in Colossae, Paul writes “Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people” (Col 3:23). If we could frame our work – no matter if we love it, tolerate it, or are barely making it in our current job – as part of God’s design and then work as if we are working for the Lord, wouldn’t that change our focus?

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Work isn’t always for pay. There’s a lot of work that each of us does that doesn’t come with any monetary reward. That may be taking care of your home and property, it may be raising your children, it may be serving at church or leading a group. Examples of work without pay could go on and on! In Colossians, Paul addresses all of these by saying, “whatever you do.” There’s no distinction of when you work for pay versus when you work at other responsibilities. The call is to work as if you are working for the Lord.  

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Men, know that you were designed by God for good work. I hope this week brings fresh eyes and perspective to whatever work you are doing and that you do it all for God’s glory.