We don’t work with white knuckles, putting our head down to the grindstone in a joyless way. We don’t do focussed work all day with no looking to the sky. Without enjoying the blue air, the white clouds and the bright green leaves.
We work diligently with rest. True rest each night and on the sabbath.
We work not in legalistic duty. Even if we do it out of a sense of obedience to Christ, that obedience is out of a warm and thankful love for the tender sacrifice he showed us. And the concern for the people around us and their futures.
For as Jesus sacrificed his body and his relationship with His Father on Good Friday, he was in a sense working. However I can’t describe the actions of Jesus in His ministry during those 3 years as what I think of “work”. The word “work” in our lives conjures up so many negative feelings and connotations.
Harsh bosses, early mornings, cold walks to the train.
Angry customers, nasty deadlines, ‘performance management’ – which is another way of saying “those awful weeks leading up to getting fired.”
I don’t know how Jesus would define his actions on earth. ‘His Father’s business’. I believe that’s a phrase he used. I can’t recall the words “My Father’s work” but it still might be in there. Well, maybe his work was hard work when dealing with frustratingly foolish disciples and the people plotting his death.
Jesus Christ served. Ah yes, service. He served out of compassion and kindness.
He walked with his followers. He used words like “daughter” and “your faith has made you well”. “Go and sin no more.” All gracious, relational and life-giving words.
“Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”, He said.
So I don’t do ministry with clenched fists and gritted teeth. I am a protestant who works, but that work ethic has freedom and lightness. There are times that the work is hard work – trying to play piano with the fears of making a mistake, a visit to protect a suffering single mother, praying for the courage to speak biblical truth out loud, while you are afraid of the ramifications. Shame when you don’t say it.
But these are not “joyless”. Thankfully!
We look up to the clear warm sky as we work with people next to us who are extremely sacred in worth and value. And we rely on The Lord when we are stressed with the work.
“I will give you rest.”
This is a life I can live, because God is with us.
Jonathan Paper 