Work and the worthwhile

Today: Psalm 120-132

This past week, I watched portions of an interview that Oprah conducted with Bret Michaels, the former "Poison" rocker who recently had a brain hemorrhage. Michaels discussed moments when his life flashed before his eyes--when he thought about his daughters and being at their weddings.

Oprah said something like, "You know--people always say that in those moments you don't think, 'I wish I would have worked more' or 'I wish I had more money.' You think about the people you love--it puts your life instantly into perspective."

I think Oprah and Bret were spot-on in their assessment of perspective. But I think for many people, near-death experiences don't just bring their love for their families to the forefront (as amazing and admirable as that love is). The bigger question many people at death's door wrestle with is this: Did my life matter?

That question and the Oprah/Bret Michaels interview came to mind when I read this portion of today's passage:

If God doesn't build the house,

the builders only build shacks.

If God doesn't guard the city,

the night watchman might as well nap.

It's useless to rise early and go to bed late,

and work your worried fingers to the bone.

Don't you know he enjoys

giving rest to those he loves?

I don't believe this passage is devaluing the importance of work, but emphasizing the importance of God's involvement in our work. There's a big difference. There are good things we try to do on our own that we ask for God's help with. And there are other things we do that are contrary to God's work (that we shouldn't be doing and should ask His forgiveness for). Those are the things that are meaningless.

But if you invite God to be involved in your good work (whether it's as a 9-to-5 employee, a parent, a volunteer at a church or non-profit organization, etc.), asking Him for help and guidance (and actually taking it!), then your work can be worthwhile.

This excerpt also addresses worry and stress--did you notice that? It talks about working your "worried fingers" to the bone. When we worry, we're not trusting in the strength and provision of God. And when we're stressed, God is there to give us rest, but we have to accept it, let go of the stress and trust Him (yeah, I just used that word "trust" again).

The main point? When God's in something, it's worthwhile. Your life, your career, your family, your friendships--they can all matter in eternity if you ask God to lead and help you along the way. And the bonus? Trusting in God can allow you to be free from worry and stress--because He brings strength, provision and perspective to your life.

Tomorrow: Psalm 133-139

Seeing signs of God's presence

Today: Exodus 39-40

Sometimes I wish that God's direction and messages to me were a bit more obvious. It would be amazing to hear the audible voice of God say things like, "You should live here" or "You should be friends with this person" or "You should pursue this career." That would be cool, wouldn't it?

In this passage, we read about how God provided visible signs of His presence and guidance for His people through a cloud and pillar of fire:

The Cloud covered the Tent of Meeting,

and the Glory of God filled The Dwelling.

Moses couldn't enter the Tent of Meeting

because the Cloud was upon it,

and the Glory of God filled The Dwelling.
Whenever the Cloud lifted from The Dwelling,

the People of Israel set out on their travels,

but if the Cloud did not lift,

they wouldn't set out until it did lift.

The Cloud of God was over The Dwelling during the day

and the fire was in it at night,

visible to all the Israelites in all their travels.

You'd think that seeing visible signs of God's presence would make it very easy for people to follow His guidance. You'd think that it would be easy for them to trust Him.

And you'd be wrong. Even with obvious signs, the Israelites doubted God and often struggled to follow Him.

I don't know about you, but I don't have many visible signs of God's presence. And I think it's even rarer for Him to give obvious signs pf His presence to big groups of people (for example, I haven't heard reports of the big visible cloud or pillar of fire showing up at a church lately).

This could be my own theory, but I wonder if it's because God wants us to really trust Him. By definition, you don't need faith in something you can see plainly. However, I still believe that God provides signs of His presence and guidance...you just have to look for them.

Yesterday stood out to me for several reasons, but one being that I felt like I was getting the same repeated message (in a few different ways). At church, I saw clips from "The Family Man" and our pastor talked about the power we have to choose what's important to us. We choose how we spend our time and money. We choose what we think about. And at pivotal moments, we make destiny-altering decisions (like Nicolas Cage in the movie who chose to leave on a plane for a London internship at an investment firm versus staying with the woman he loved). At lunch, I had conversations with friends about career and life choices leading to the question, "What's really important to you?" Later, we saw "Up in the Air" with George Clooney--a movie about a guy whose views of life and work are challenged. It was as if God was saying (or shouting?) to me, "Your work is not your life. Choose what's important. Choose Me and what I'm calling you to." Even the fact that I read this passage today (one I've thought of or heard at previous life-altering moments) seems like another sign that God is promising His guidance.

I'm not suggesting that you (or I) read too much into things. It's entirely possible to do so. But I am saying that sometimes God speaks through things that may not seem obvious. His signs today are not always visible--but that's where your faith and trust in Him comes into play. Or in the words of one of my favorite questions (from The Truth Project): Do you believe that what you believe is really real?

Tomorrow: Leviticus 1-4

Obedience through problems

Today: Acts 21-23

Obedience is not really a popular topic in our culture today...even in church. I don't remember the last time I heard a Christian speaker even use the word "obedience."

For most people, it's not a comfortable topic in the workplace. We do our work and our assignments--but does anyone really call that "obeying" the boss' instructions? Not really. It becomes "managing a project" or just simply "doing work." We take obedience out of the equation...because the very word implies that we're not in charge.

Most people aren't into the idea of obedience...but God is. I don't know if I've ever thought about obedience as a cool illustration of God's work in our lives. But it is--especially when we're obedient through our problems.

Paul definitely knew this point well. In this passage, some prophets warned him not to go to Jerusalem. They foresaw challenges for him there (and they were right!). But when Paul heard their advice, he said:

"You're looking at this backward.

The issue in Jerusalem is not what they do to me,

whether arrest or murder,

but what the Master Jesus does through my obedience.

Can't you see that?"

Wow. Paul was willing to go through an arrest because he knew God could use his obedience to reach somebody. Paul was right. When he was arrested, he was given the opportunity to share his story and to talk about how Jesus changed his heart and his life.

The chapters today didn't say that crowds of people were saved. On the contrary, they were pretty angry at Paul. But in a crowd of people, someone had to be listening, someone had to wonder, "What if he's right? What if Jesus really is the Son of God?" Maybe no one believed that day. But they heard--and they saw--Paul's story in action. That's obedience at work.

Here's a few questions for all of us to consider: How is obedience at work in my life today? Am I allowing God to lead me? How does my obedience (or lack thereof) impact my life and the lives of others--particularly through problems?

Tomorrow: Acts 24-26