We’re laying the groundwork for God’s beautiful design for faith-filled work, service, and worship. More to come on: Avodah with God; Why does it matter to God? and What does it mean for us?
In the initial Introduction to AVODAH WITH GOD: Working with God, God's Way, we dove into Understanding Avodah with God, Avodah: A Word That Changes Everything, What is the equivalent to Avodah in the New Testament? and we came to the conclusion that based on God’s Word, it is clear that we are designed to “avad with God,” that is, to work with, serve, and worship Him. We unveiled that avodah with God is not just from 9-5, or as a volunteer every so often, or on Sunday mornings. It is our response in faith to who God is and all He has done. Even more, we are designed for meaningful work and worshipful acts of devotion over the long run. We established that avodah with God is about God’s children walking in a manner worthy of their calling, utilizing their gifts, time, and talents to serve God by serving others, and glorifying God through their work. Our God cares. Our God sees, and our God is for us, working in us, ready and willing to give us both the desire and the ability to do what pleases Him.
If you didn’t get a chance to read or listen in to our first Introduction to AVODAH WITH GOD: Working with God, God's Way, or if you would like to learn more, feel free to click this link below:
An Introduction to AVODAH WITH GOD: Working with God, God's Way
We’re laying the groundwork for God’s beautiful design for faith-filled work, service, and worship. More to come on: Avodah with God; Why does it matter to God? and What does it mean for us?
In Part 2 of our Introduction to AVODAH WITH GOD: Working with God, God's Way, we covered the reality that Work Was Always Sacred. We looked to the Scriptures to discover God’s good design for humanity to avad with Him in the beginning, well before the Fall of Adam and Eve. We explored other Scriptures which help us better grasp God’s view on work and the invitation for us to choose this day who we will avad. Will we work with the LORD and partner with Him? Will we serve the LORD? Will we worship the LORD our God today? Our alignment with God’s perfect will, Word, and design, or lack thereof, can help to explain why we can feel so disillusioned with our work.
We also discussed how Jesus’ actions reveal what He truly believed about working in a section entitled: Jesus, a Carpenter, and You. We asked the questions: How do you imagine Jesus was as a carpenter? and What was Jesus like as an apprentice or as a student? Based on God’s unchanging character, we concluded that we can know that Jesus modeled avodah with God—from His earlier years at synagogue school, through the years as an apprentice and as a carpenter-craftsman, all the way through His three-year public ministry. Jesus modeled working, serving, and living with faithfulness, diligence, intentionality, wholeheartedness, sincerity, focus, enthusiasm, awareness, integrity, and excellence. That leads us to better understand: if Jesus’ work was meaningful, worshipful, and pleasing to His Father in heaven, then our work too is meant to be meaningful, worshipful, and pleasing to our Father in heaven.
We established that avodah with God is not accidental, absent-minded, or independent. Rather, we are to work with God, to partner with God, and rely on His leadership, strength, and wisdom. We acknowledged that working with God, God’s way, is not normal. This is countercultural work. It is utterly unusual relative to the way almost everyone works—the world’s way. Nevertheless, avodah with God, God’s way, is the best way. It is the most satisfying, fulfilling, and meaningful way. It is glorious, challenging, and worthwhile.
If you didn’t get a chance to read or listen in to our second Introduction to AVODAH WITH GOD: Working with God, God's Way, or if you would like to learn more, feel free to click this link below:
Part 2 An Introduction to AVODAH WITH GOD: Working with God, God's Way
We’re laying the groundwork for God’s beautiful design for faith-filled work, service, and worship. More to come on: Avodah with God; Why does it matter to God? and What does it mean for us?
Now, onto Part 3!
The Call to Reimagine Work with God
Let’s go deep, shall we? We need God’s help to identify and realign our perspectives on work as we learn to better partner with God, working with God, His way.
Wherever we land on the spectrum of beliefs about work and our role in it, whether we loathe Mondays, couldn’t care less, or place our identity in what we do, we all have room to better align our perspectives and beliefs with God’s will, Word, and design.
For most of us, we’re spending half of our waking hours working for the majority of our lives. If we can align our beliefs with God’s will, Word, and design, we can leave behind mundane toil and idolatry alike and experience the presence, grace, and power of God as we partner with Him daily.
The sooner we do, the better. While this is urgent, it’s a process of learning to work with God, His way, while we unlearn and relinquish our ingrained beliefs and ways of working that are aligned with the world’s ways. This takes time.
Good thing the Lord is patient and faithful in His commitment to our sanctification. In particular, our gracious God is committed to shaping us into the likeness of Jesus, over the course of our lives. While we can seek to fight against the Lord’s loving guidance and conviction, it is an exercise in futility. It’s a fruitless pursuit.
I’ve found that the quicker I am to accept and receive God’s correction, the sweeter life with Jesus becomes. The reminder is needed: God’s words and ways are true and life-giving. For those who follow Jesus, who have placed their confidence in Christ, there is no condemnation (See Romans 8:1). That is good news. Moreover, in love, our God has a beautiful way of disciplining and reshaping the affections and beliefs of His kids, so our actions can better reflect Christ to the world around us and share in His holiness.
It says in Hebrews 12:5-11,
5 “And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons?
“My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord,
nor be weary when reproved by him.
6 For the Lord disciplines the one he loves,
and chastises every son whom he receives.”7 It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? 8 If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. 9 Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? 10 For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. 11 For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.”
This is radical relative to the way most of us view discipline from God. Yet, it is clear that our God shapes and refines us in love for us,
“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” - Romans 8:28
It is interesting to consider, our actions really do reveal what we believe. For example, if we believe our work is meaningless, we’re likely to lose focus, procrastinate, and countdown the hours till we finally get to leave. Unhappiness and burnout are on the horizon.
If we believe our work or position defines who we are, we’re likely to act in pride, fear failure, and neglect other key priorities. Comparison, stress, and selfishness can dominate one’s mind.
However, if we believe we are designed to “avad with God,” that is, to work with, serve, and worship Him, our actions will follow. We’re likely to find a strong sense of meaning in whatever we do, knowing we get to glorify God. We experience peace and confidence in our identity, secure in Christ. We’re more likely to choose the difficult, right choice over the easy decision we know is wrong. We’re quicker to serve others and lead with compassion, kindness, and humility. We’re much more likely to experience and express gratitude, seeing our role as a gift from God and an opportunity to make a positive impact in the short- and long-term. We find strength from God to endure and navigate challenges with trust in the Lord. We walk with purpose, integrity, and joy. In sum, we’re more likely to develop a faith-filled, God-fearing, Christ-centered perspective.
I’ve found that what we do with the time given to us reveals what we truly prioritize, what we value most. It’s not our words but our actions over the course of the day that truly reveal our beliefs.
Think about this: Show me how you make use of the time given to you and I can tell you what you believe and value most.
This may challenge us. It begs the questions: Beyond what I say I believe, what do my actions reveal about what I actually believe? Where is there misalignment and what should I do to align my beliefs with my decisions? How can I devote time and energy to the things that truly matter most?
We may need to sit down with the Lover of our souls and spend some time prayerfully considering how our time spent reflects what we value most. It’s worth noting that this requires trust in God’s steadfast love and care to redirect us from misaligned and wrong beliefs, perspectives, and ways of thinking.
As recorded in the book of John 16:7-11, Jesus Himself said of the Holy Spirit,
“I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. 8 And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; 10 concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; 11 concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.”
Jesus thereafter said in John 16:13-15,
13 “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. 14 He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. 15 All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.”
We have this priceless gift from God, His own Spirit, alive and active, working in and through us—in all who have trusted in Jesus as Savior and Lord. We have the Holy Spirit as our Helper, convicting us where we need correction and guiding us into all the truth.
1 John 1:8-9 says that,
8 “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
Our God’s love for us is unmatched. He is faithful and just to forgive our sins because He bore the punishment for our sins upon Himself and overcame the power of sin on the cross. Our God is able and willing to reorient and align our perspectives and ways with the truth, according to His perfect will, Word, and design.
So, if we’re called to live according to God’s will, following the way of Jesus, then it’s clear that we are called to avad according to God’s will, following the way of Jesus. I find it extremely encouraging to know that we’re not alone to figure all this out on our own, rather, we know from Philippians 2:13 that “it is God who works in [us], both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”
Let’s Practice Reimagining Work with God
What’s the goal?
Working with God, God’s way; that is the goal.
Where do we begin?
First, we must learn to accept God’s words and perspective on our lives and work as the truth.
Jesus’ Himself said: “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” - John 8:31-32
On the other hand, fighting against God’s will, Word, & design is not helpful for us or for others; that is a pointless, frustrating battle we will not win.
Furthermore, working with God, serving God, and worshiping God will not be nearly as life-giving and powerful if we have a small view of our God who longs to partner with us.
For example, if we don’t trust God to be who He has revealed Himself to be in His Word, the Bible, then we will not work like the one true, living God is with us, inspiring and empowering us to make an eternal impact on eternal souls.
However, if we do trust the Lord is who He says He is, and we come to recognize that the living God truly is with us and in us, working through us to accomplish His good and great plans and purposes for us, for others, and for His glory, then we will live and work accordingly.
With trust in the Lord, we can embrace working as vessels of God’s Spirit, as ambassadors of Christ and the Kingdom of Light, impacting the souls around us in ways only God could impact them. With trust in the Lord, we can also freely acknowledge and give due credit to the One who is working in and through us to accomplish His will.
The Who, What, Where, When, Why, How of our Avodah
With whom and for whom do we avad?
We avad with God.
While God doesn’t need our service, He invites us to partner with Him in response to His love shown to us in innumerable ways. We don’t just do things for God as though He owes us a favor or material blessings. The living God owes us nothing, yet in love, He offered His precious Son to take our place on the cross. Because of Christ’s sacrifice for us, we have abundant life in and through Him. Our God has definitively proven His love for us through Jesus. Yet, our God doesn’t just put up with us, He loves us with an everlasting love. He shows us mercy and grace daily. The King of kings and Lord of lords welcomes us to His table. He knows us and calls us by name. He provides for our needs and makes Himself available to us. He calls us sons and daughters, and treats us as His dearly beloved kids. He honors us with His presence and works powerfully through us to accomplish what seems impossible through His Holy Spirit. We are among the most blessed in all creation, throughout all time. We have a relationship with the living God, our Creator.
The Lord, our Good Shepherd, invites us to partner with Him. Our all-powerful, all-knowing, ever-present King is not distant or far off, He is with us and in us through His Spirit, so we can do all He calls us to do and be all He calls us to be.
With God, we can embrace a faith-filled “growth mindset.” Jesus Himself said, “with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26).
In our work and service, we get to partner with the King of kings—the Lover of our souls, the creative Designer of all, the Source of wisdom, strength, grace, & all we need. We partner with the One who desires to work with us and through us to make a lasting impact.
What is considered avodah? What does avodah include?
Colossians 3:23-24 says,
“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.”
We can avad with God through our day in whatever we do. As we discussed previously, avodah is not restricted to acts of service that seem especially holy. It could range from your day job and household chores, to Sunday morning worship, hosting a community group, and everything in between.
When do we avad?
Daily. As we just were reminded of Colossians 3:23-24, we get to serve the Lord Christ as we heartily work as for the Lord in whatever we do.
When we serve others through our work, we serve God.
*An important note:
The call to “avad with God” does not negate the fact that we are to rest and we find real rest in the Lord. God’s Word reveals His will and design for our partnership with Him, but it does not endorse workaholism or making an idol of busyness.
According to Blue Letter Bible, the Hebrew word šāḇaṯ (שָׁבַת) (pronounced shaw-bath'), that is, to cease, desist, or rest, is mentioned 71x in the Old Testament.
In the New Testament, Jesus Himself said,
28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest (anapauō). 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” - Matthew 11:28-30
Where do we avad?
Our workplace is our mission field, as are our homes, neighborhoods, towns, and cities.
If there are other people involved in our work, that means there are eternal souls God can impact through us for their good and for His glory.
We are ambassadors of Christ. We represent Jesus and His Kingdom wherever we are, in all that we say and do.
Why do we avad?
God designed for relationship with Him. As we avad with God, we get to engage in meaningful work and worshipful acts of devotion over the long run. As God’s children, we get to walk in a manner worthy of our calling and utilize the gifts, time, and talents God’s given us to serve the Lord by serving others and glorify Jesus through our work.
Our God sees. Our God cares.
Our heart posture, both why and how we work, serve, and worship, matters deeply to God. Our daily details—no matter how mundane—matter to God.
Our jobs aren’t just a way to make money, or just a “necessary evil,” or the most important part of our identity. Instead, our jobs provide us a platform to glorify God daily as we represent Jesus and His Kingdom of Light to the world around us.
Now if we have been saved by grace through faith in Jesus; if we confess that Jesus is our Savior and Lord, and we believe in His sinless life, atoning death, and resurrection from the dead, then do our decisions and actions really matter to God?
Yes! Our works do not save us. It is by grace through faith in Jesus that we are saved. That is very good news. Nevertheless, we are accountable to the Lord. We will all give an account to Him of what we have done when we meet Him face to face.
It says in Romans 14:10-12,
10 Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God; 11 for it is written,
“As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me,
and every tongue shall confess to God.”12 So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.
Again, we are reminded that no one is exempt from giving an account of our actions to God in Hebrews 4:13,
“No creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.”
Our work and efforts in this life will be exposed to the light, made visible before God, and tested with fire. It says in 1 Corinthians 3:12-14,
12 “Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— 13 each one's work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. 14 If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward.”
How can we avad?
Here are just a few ways we can practice avad with God.
Acknowledge that we are stewards, not owners, of the gifts God has given us, including our jobs, roles, time, efforts, finances, bodies, physical health, and families. The very breath in our lungs is a gift from God who sustains our lives. We know from James 1:17 that,
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.”
Through Christ and His Spirit working in us, we really can please God through our efforts, “for it is God who works in [us], both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” - Philippians 2:13
As it says in Romans 12:11, “Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.”
Put reminders in place to stay aware of Jesus’ promise in Matthew 28:20: “I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Be content with God’s provision, fear the Lord, don’t fear man—our God will never leave us nor forsakes us.
As it says in Hebrews 13:5-6, “Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?”
Pray before, during, and after your work.
E.g. Dedicate your workday or next 30 minute work block to the Lord. Pray before you meetup with a colleague for lunch and pray before you join your next meeting. Pray after the work day is done and seek the Lord’s counsel on what went well, what can be adjusted, key takeaways, next steps, etc.
Paul sums it up like this in Colossians 3:17,
“Whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
This is the call to reimagine the way we work and begin to practice working with God, God’s way. This is a strong encouragement to stop seeing work as “just a job,” a “necessary evil,” or a source of pride, and start seeing our work as our opportunity to partner with the living God, to work with Him, serve Him, and worship Him in spirit and in truth.
This is a process, a journey of learning to rethink things and respond to God’s will, Word, and design. It takes time, but why not try embracing this now. Why wait and continue down the path of decades of seemingly endless work drudgery?
What if, by Monday morning, you woke up and instead of dreading work, you saw it as a new opportunity to be salt and light in the workplace?
What if you treated your emails, your parenting, your meetings, your commute—as an offering to God?
What if you submitted your ideas and plans to God and sought to respond to His direction and plan for you?
What if you really believed that your work matters to your Creator?
In God’s eyes, you matter, and the way you partner with Him matters.
That changes everything.
Thanks for following along with us in this series on AVODAH WITH GOD: Working with God, God's Way. There is more to come on The Heart and the How behind Avodah, taking inspiration from Christ Jesus Himself.
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