164. Blessed Busyness — Aneel Aranha

Hello and welcome to The Hope Podcast. I'm Aneel Aranha. Today, we will talk about work and how our daily labor can be an act of worship.

Many of us tend to compartmentalize our lives, separating our "spiritual" activities from our "secular" work. However, the Bible presents a holistic view where all of life, including our work, can be sacred.

In Genesis, we see God as a worker, creating the universe. He then assigns Adam the task of tending the garden, showing that work was part of God's plan for humanity even before the fall. This suggests that work isn't a curse, but a way we reflect God's image.

The apostle Paul instructs, "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters" (Colossians 3:23). This radically reframes our perspective on work, turning it into an act of devotion.

Jesus Himself was a carpenter for most of His life. He didn't see this as time wasted before His "real" ministry began. Instead, it was part of His calling, sanctifying the everyday work that most of us do.

How can we cultivate a spiritual approach to our work? Start by recognizing your work as a calling, regardless of what it is. Whether you're a CEO or a street sweeper, your work matters to God and can be done for His glory.

Practice the presence of God in your workplace. Offer short prayers throughout your day. See your colleagues, clients, or customers as made in God's image, worthy of respect and kindness.

Pursue excellence in your work as an act of worship. Strive to do your best, not to earn praise from others, but as an offering to God. At the same time, remember that your worth isn't based on your productivity.

Use your work as an opportunity to cultivate godly character. Patience, perseverance, integrity, and teamwork are all spiritual qualities that can be developed through our daily tasks.

Remember, our work is also a way to love our neighbors. Through our labor, we contribute to society, meet needs, and create value for others. This turns our work into an expression of the second great commandment.

As you embrace the spirituality of work, you may find a new sense of purpose in your daily tasks. Your workplace can become a mission field, not just through words, but through the quality of your work and the character you display.

God bless you.