An Intentional Faith by Allen JacksonSample

In the book of Genesis, we’re introduced to a God who is hard at work. For five days he worked to create the heavens, the earth, the plants, the celestial bodies, and all the animals. On the sixth day, he worked to create the pinnacle of creation, man and woman. He made humankind in his own image, then gave them their first work assignment: cultivate, care for, and steward God’s creation with him (Genesis 1:27–28). This call to work has continued ever since. . . .

We’ve been put in this specific time and specific place for specific work assignment. It might be tending to a career as a teacher or a veterinarian or a used car salesman. It might be to stay at home with your kids or to care for your aging parents. It might have huge, far-reaching implications or it may be unsung. No matter, though, your assignment is to be an expression of the heart of God. In fact, the way you work—teach, give veterinary care, sell cars, parent, or tend to your parents—is a much more accurate reflection of your heart for God than how you present yourself at church. . . .

You may have human bosses (and if you’re a stay-at-home mother, you have one who cannot speak in complete sentences). But ultimately, you don’t work for the party checking your time sheets or signing your checks. Your employer is a loving, eternal, benevolent Father who wants you to carry his love into the world through your assignment. How you work, then, shows how much you think of the assignment he’s given you, and consequently, how much you think of him.

Working as if it’s a form of worship can change the way you think about your occupation. It can change the way you view your bosses, your coworkers, your customers. By seeing them as potential recipients of God’s love, as witnesses to your worship, you’ll begin to understand how you’ve been placed in their lives for a particular season and reason. If you live into that understanding, you’ll notice changes in your daily interactions. You’ll begin to see people at work as people to love, instead of as obstacles to negotiate through.