The Spirituality of Work

A continuing train of thought within ministry in daily life theology — or perhaps even a strong balance or starting point — is the idea that work itself is a spiritual endeavor. Although trying to describe "spirituality" may be akin to trying to nail Jello™ to a wall, the general shape of the word is known to all of us. We sense that God is operating under observable reality in ways difficult to measure or describe, yet real as the easily-seen.

That work could be thought of as "spiritual" may surprise some Christians, who still seek to compartmentalize their faith into safely-Sunday places and behaviors, and who see work as only a necessary evil in their lives. Increasingly Christians with "mission" in their minds see their work as prayer, God working through their presence in the world to accomplish all of God's purposes, moving beyond simple "helping" into other areas of God's presence in the world (e.g., combating evil). They see themselves as whole beings, never dissected apart into ineffectuality, powerful by virtue of the Spirit's gifts and not dependent on the institutional church to provide their primary place of life purpose and meaning.

What makes work spiritual is its attachments to God's purposes, to Jesus' mission and life, NOT to the church's institutional needs or realities. Thus, "workplace evangelism" becomes more than an invitation to attend worship services and "service" becomes more than the attachment of congregational programs to a personal list of hobbies. Christians who see their work as spiritual see themselves as more than members of congregations, but also as driven by a sense of God's mission being accomplished by them. In a sense, they are also "set apart" within the confines of work — defined as "what occupies your time during the week" — or occupation — a more narrowly defined and focused understanding, "paid work" — to do what God wills for the entire world. They are co-creators, co-redeemers, and co-sanctifiers in God's continuing action.