In the hustle and bustle of our modern world, with its myriad challenges and economic uncertainties, it’s easy to feel lost, especially in our work. The value of what we produce, the stability of our job market, and the future of our global economy can often feel like an unpredictable storm. Yet, amidst this whirlwind, there’s a beacon of hope, a reminder that our work can be an act of worship and something beyond ourselves, not merely a means to an end or an identity to be slavishly upheld.
In our recent WTF Talks video, Pastor Josh poignantly questioned, “Why does work stress us out so much?” He suggested that the root of work-related stress lies in our propensity to find our identity in our jobs. When the value we perceive in our work does not align with our internal valuation, it can lead us to a deep-seated shame that fuels the perpetual stress cycle. Does this resonate with you at all? The issue stems from attaching our personal worth and identity to the work we do, making our professional failures feel akin to personal ones.
Expanding on this, Pastor Josh offers this perspective in the vlog: “You work hard not because you need to earn something, but because you already have something.” This perspective shift is and can be revolutionary to the way we wake up every day. It suggests that our motivation for hard work should not be derived from a place of lack or a need to prove our worth but from a recognition of our intrinsic value. Pastor Josh emphasizes the grace of a God who “loves us despite our ill or inadequate performance,” and how, remarkably, He “works for us,” offering us unconditional love and support.
Dave contributes to the conversation by highlighting the intrinsic equality of all people in their workplaces, regardless of their role or title. “It does not matter what we make, it does not matter who you are or what you do, we are all equal. We should not prioritize Presidents over Truck Drivers, we should not prioritize Accountants over Labourers, we should not prioritize Salespeople over Forklift Operators but that everyone in Gods economy is equal and that’s the good news! “ – Dave MacDonald. Societal hierarchies have been formed over many years as the fallen world around us continues on. But while this may feel like a standard it was never the way the world was intended to be.”
So, while the world around us continues to emphasize the inherent need for money to continue in life how do we separate the difference between working to worship from worshiping our work? We continue to steward the resources that we have been given with everything we have and then we also lean into reciprocating God’s love around us as we work. “When you not only receive God’s love but you begin to reciprocate God’s love you actually join him in remaking the world.” – Pastor Josh
As the global economy teeters on the brink of uncertainty in the current era, this message rings truer than ever. The economic challenges we face today, with rising unemployment rates, fluctuating markets, and the looming threat of recession, can seem daunting. Specifically, as we tie our identities to the success of our days. Yet, amidst this seemingly dire prognosis, there’s an undercurrent of hope, a reminder that our worth isn’t dictated by the success or failure of our professional endeavours but our purpose to work for something higher than fulfilling our own needs.
Worshipping through our work involves seeing beyond the immediate economic tribulations and recognizing that our labor, in whatever form it takes, contributes to a larger divine purpose. It’s not about idolizing our jobs, but about infusing them with love, dedication, and a sense of higher purpose. As we navigate the economic uncertainties of our time, remembering to detach our identity from our work and instead attach it to something greater offers not only personal liberation so many people are crying out for but also a path to collective healing and prosperity.
The current state of the economy, while challenging, is not the end of the story. It’s a call to action, an invitation to rethink our relationship with work and to approach it as an act of higher purpose and yes even worship. In doing so, we might just find the key to remaking the world, one act of love at a time.
-Hannah Dannecker
