Work & Worship

I’ve heard it in church, read it in the bible, and even seen it talked about on this very blog, but I think I’m finally understanding it today! I’m talking about the idea that all components of our life (church, social, alone time, work, play, etc.) are to be lived out in worship to God.

I know I’m guilty of compartmentalizing God. Telling Him what part of my day he can have, and what part of the day is for me. It’s ugly and wrong, but too often it’s true for me, especially when it comes to my work.

This morning I was reading My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers. It was talking about this idea of worship, and relating it to Genesis 12:8 where Abraham “pitches his tent” between Bethel and the city of Ai. Chambers points out that in this story Bethel, which literally means “House of God,” symbolizes fellowship with God, where Ai represents the world. It was this illustration that has brought me a deeper understanding of how God calls us to live our lives. By “pitching his tent” between these two places, Abraham was putting his entire life right smack in the middle of God’s house and the world.

Chambers goes on to write, “There are not three levels of spiritual life—worship, waiting, and work. Yet some of us seem to jump like spiritual frogs from worship to waiting, and from waiting to work. God’s idea is that the three should go together as one. They were always together in the life of our Lord and in perfect harmony.”

With the start of the new year this is a great reminder for me that every ounce my life, every second of my day, and especially every annoying revision from a client, should be done as an act of worship to our Lord.

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