Allowing God's Work to Enter Into Our Work

Sep 11, 2021

The idea of God’s work in our work has been a life-long lesson for me.

Being raised around God’s work fostered in me the idea—full-time ministry being my parents’ vocation—that ministry was limited to positions or assignments within churches or other faith communities.

The truth is, I have only had one job in my lifetime that was not with a Christian organization. That position lasted a total of one year. Considering I got my first job at the age of sixteen, and have always worked, well, you can do the math.

Every job I have had, except for that one year, was a ministry-related job. My work has included accounting and administrative tasks. I served as registrar for a Christian university and worked for more than one pastor in varying roles. Today, I serve as a virtual assistant for a Christian nonprofit organization. All these related to ministry.

But what about those who do not, nor have ever, worked for a faith-based organization?

I admire those of you who serve in secular jobs. Decades in ministry-related positions left me quite inept at sharing the gospel with nonbelievers. If you hold a job in the secular world, you have opportunities to bring God's work into your encounters with non-Christians.

When I talk about allowing God to enter our work, I am talking to every person—regardless of your vocation, education, or income level. I am talking to the parent who is at home all day with the kiddos, changing diapers or overseeing homeschool. Each of us should be taking God’s work into whatever He gives us to do.

And to be clear, we are not talking about ‘works vs. grace’ here, but what we engage in on a daily or ongoing basis. This extends to all we set our hand to. Even if you are retired and spend time gardening or traveling, this may be viewed as the work of your hands (Psalm 90.17).

What does Scripture say about ‘our work’? To answer this question, let's look at Psalm 90. There are many verses we could refer to on this topic, but in this psalm of Moses there is a great lesson.

In Psalm 90, there are three distinct sections. Verses 1 and 2 declare, “Who is God?” Verses 3-11 answer, “Who are we?” Verses 12-17 respond to the question, “How should we live?”¹ This last section is the heart and soul of the psalm. Moses was inspired to deliver poetic instruction to the people in the form of a prayer.

God’s Wisdom in Our Work

“Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom.” Psalm 90.12 (NLT)

Notice the phrase brevity of life in the New Living Translation. Other translations say teach us to number our days. No matter how it reads in your Bible, Moses is emphasizing here that life is short. Our days are numbered.

While referencing the end of life, Moses draws attention to the here-and-now—and the need for wisdom from God. He is saying, “Lord, remind us that we only have so much time. Help us to grow in wisdom.”

As Moses demonstrates, you can also make this a prayer. “God, help me to bring Your work into my work, whatever that entails. Grow in me the wisdom that only comes from You.”

God’s Guidance in Our Work

14 Satisfy us…with your unfailing love… 15 Give us gladness… 16 Let us…see you work again… Psalm 90.14-16 (NLT)

Over the next few verses, the psalmist asks for God’s guidance in three specific areas. Moses prays, “Lord, satisfy us, give us, and let us!” I love the progression of these prayerful expressions.

As we consider how we might bring God's work into our work, we can ask for His guidance in the work of our hands—and amid this, we have the assurance...

He will satisfy us with His unfailing and steadfast love—every day.
He will give us gladness to outshine the hard and difficult times.
He will let us see His work even in our work.

God’s Favor in Our Work

“Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands…!” Psalm 90.17 (ESV)

Just this morning, I prayed for God's favor on behalf of Christian friends in another country who have not gathered publically for church in over eighteen months. They need favor with the government authorities, that corporate worship be opened.

On a personal level, we need God's favor in our work and as we go about our day. In verse seventeen, the word favor means delightfulness or pleasantness. Moses is saying, "May the delightfulness of the Lord be on us!" What a beautiful picture of the pleasure God takes in you and me—and in our work.

Again, I ask, "What about those who do not, nor have ever, worked for a faith-based organization?"

Can their work be considered ministry? Oh, yes, and it is. For the believer, the everyday work of your hands is an exercise in serving the Lord your God (Exodus. 23.25). In bringing God's work, mission, and purpose into our daily lives, we are being sanctified and made holy. This is His goal, and it is our ministry.

Friend, you need the Lord's wisdom, guidance, and favor in all He gives you to do, including your work?