Genesis 2:15 The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.
All of us remember our summer jobs growing up. One summer after high school, I worked at a grocery bagging groceries. My sole purpose was to stand at the end of the checkstand and bag groceries. I also had a clock that was right behind me reminding me of how much time I had left on my shift. One of the biggest highlights would be helping someone outside with their groceries who rode on a motorized cart that belonged to the grocery store. I would get a small moment of adrenaline by riding through the parking lot on a scooter going 4 MPH. Thankful to have a job! But, most days felt like I was running through the motions.
All of us have moments in our life, and in our careers, where we feel like we are just running through the motions. It might feel like we aren’t making an impact on the people around us. A few years ago I read a book called Garden City by John Mark Comer. It completely changed my perspective on work.
In Genesis 2:15, the writer makes a small statement about Adam and work. It reads, “The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.” (NIV) The author made the point that work came before the fall. Work came before sin and hardship entered the world. Work was actually a part of God’s design for us as people. I love going on vacations and having time off. However, after a while, I’m ready for routine and to get back to something that feels purposeful.
I love the idea that work is meaningful. Sometimes we think our jobs aren’t very meaningful if we aren’t the president of the United States or a missionary going to the hardest to reach areas. However, God designed us to work. Whatever that may be for each person.
God has designed each one of us with specific gifts. I know people that are amazing with cars. They enjoy figuring out how to diagnose an issue in an engine, solve the problem, and reassemble the car. While things may feel monotonous at times, God has given us the ability to find meaning in the work that we have. Rather than feeling like it doesn’t matter, we can worship God with the gifts and talents that He has given us and use those same gifts to impact the people we come in contact with.
Work doesn’t always have to be a 9-5 job. It may be what we do on the side. It may be where we volunteer. There are all kinds of options. For me, I typically think that God is going to use me most sometime out in the future. It’s not bad to dream about the future. But the challenge is, we sometimes miss out with what God has called me to do right now in my daily life.
One way to see our work as meaningful, is to start to see the people we do work with and for as part of what God is calling us to. How has God called each one of us to impact those people? This week as you go through work, try to be mindful of how you can use this work to glorify God, work with Him, and impact others.
SOAP Scripture: The Rest of Genesis Chapter 2
“Find each instance where the idea of work pops up in the garden narrative.”
S: (scripture)
Read the above passage and underline, highlight, or write down passages that stand out to you. Maybe re-read it a few times if that’s helpful.
O: (observation)
Write down things you observe about the passage. Maybe it’s a word that stood out to you, something the passage made you think about, or a question that you have.
A: (application)
Write down some ways that the passage applies to your life. Make it personal.
P: (prayer)
Take a moment and pray. Ask God to make the passage practical to your everyday life.
