Vision for Work

Devotional

One of my favorite quotes on work comes from C. S. Lewis, who said, “If God is satisfied with the work, the work may be satisfied with itself.” So often I feel unsatisfied in my work. In the age of flexible work hours with never-ending task lists, it’s hard to believe that anyone can stop long enough to be satisfied in their work. And in a society where we are what we do, it feels like there is an ever-increasing pressure to work harder, longer, and better. To rest is laziness. To set healthy boundaries is selfish.

But the truth is that the core of boundaries is not selfishness, but stewardship. If we allow our personal lives to get so out of control that they constantly hurt our ability to accomplish the works laid out before us, then we have a problem with stewardship. And if we don’t set healthy boundaries around work to the extent it becomes all-consuming, then we fail to steward ourselves and our ability to love others. We need to get fresh vision for both rest and work. We need to seek a revelation of God’s heart for work that our lives would be marked by a sense of satisfaction.

Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Have you ever viewed yourself as God’s workmanship? Have you ever stopped to think that God designed you with a unique personality, a powerful set of strengths and abilities, and has an eternal purpose for you that you are perfectly designed for? God doesn’t create bad things. He doesn’t create without a purpose. Ephesians 2:10 tells us that we are created in Christ Jesus. You are a new creation, filled with the Holy Spirit, and anointed to see God’s kingdom come to earth.

If you’re lacking vision on what you are to do, look no further than the step in front of you. God has plans for you today that will lead you to tomorrow. He has work for you today that is both valuable in and of itself and will lead you to the next part of his perfect plans. Ecclesiastes 9:10 says, “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might.” If your desire is to follow God’s will, you won’t miss it. So often we spend so much time trying to figure out what God wants us to do that we don’t do the very work he’s laid in front of us. We spend so much time worrying about what we are supposed to accomplish that we never accomplish anything. Absolutely there are times to get vision. Absolutely we are to inquire of the Lord. But rather than asking the Lord for his master plan, enjoy the work he’s set before you today. Create boundaries around your work that you might be effective and successful in it and experience the satisfaction of a job well done.

May the prayer of David in Psalm 90:17 be your prayer today as you enter into a time of guided prayer:

Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands!