Good Work

God saw all that he had made—and it was very good! (Genesis 1:31, NET)

And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done (Genesis 2:2).

bzzzzzz! bzzzzz! bzzzzzz!

My phone practically vibrated right out of my pocket as a flood of messages came in all at once. I was out of town, but my children and I have an agreement that they can reach out to me any time, anywhere. Sure enough, every text was from my youngest.

The pictures my little girl had drawn lit up my screen and my heart. She wanted me to see her work and tell her it was good.

In the United States this weekend, people everywhere are celebrating Labor Day. Labor Day was established in 1894 as a federal holiday to celebrate American labor and the contributions of working people. Work is good and work is essential to life and society, no matter how we may feel about Monday mornings.

Like my daughter, we want our work to matter. We want it declared good. 

Work preceded the existence of humans. The Creator God worked. His work was the marvelous establishment of the heavens and the earth, the stars and planets, the waters and the land. He created every living thing teeming in the waters and scattered across the ground. His magnum opus was the fashioning of man and woman. 

Five different times throughout the creation process God paused to look upon what he had made and declare it good (Genesis 1:4, 10, 18, 21, 25, 31). The final declaration in Genesis 1:31 uses the Hebrew particle hinneh, which goes with the gesture of pointing and calling attention to something.

In the beginning, God showed us not only a pattern of work and #rest, but also of pausing to behold our #work and declare it good. #LaborDay #goodjob Share on X

In this moment of beholding His finished work, God was not unlike children when they bring us their created treasures. “Look, look!” they cry, pointing to what they have made. “Pay attention! This is good, isn’t it? I made it and I am pleased with it. I want you to like it too!”

It is right to stop our frenzied pace a moment, step back, and take a long look at what we are making. It is good to let the satisfaction of work well done sink deep into our souls. The right work done well can comfort, inspire and encourage us.

Work can be satisfying. #LaborDay #purpose #jobsatisfaction Share on X

God has work for you and me to do that will bring deep satisfaction. The job may not be glamorous or noticed by important people, but when we serve Him, the most humble employment can be deeply fulfilling. 

I used to think that for my life to matter, I needed to do “great” things for God. It took me a long time to realize that there are no great people or things, only faithful people who allow God to manifest Himself greatly in them. This is who I want to be. Smaller, smaller as He grows bigger, bigger.

God’s greatest work is done most often in the quiet places, the smallest people, the last and the least. Join me today?

We simply need to ask Him what His purpose is for this one life we have to give. This one day. These two hands. These eyes that see and these ears that hear. When we find God’s purpose for us, we will find His work for us. He provides the energy, the resources, and the creativity to do the work He gives. Are you doing the work you were created for today? 

Lord, I pause before You right now and ask You to help me examine my work. Show me Your purpose for my life. Give me the work I was created for. Fill my heart with satisfaction as I labor for You. Amen.

@audreycfrank