Priestly Work

Lately, it feels like everybody is rethinking everything, especially work. It’s an active discussion with my team; we don’t want to return to the old normal but working remotely under COVID-19 restrictions has its challenges too.

As I’ve worked from home for the last year and a half, I have spent a lot of my time thinking about work. Am I working enough? Am I overworking? Is the baby puke on my shirt noticeable on the video call?

Mostly when I’m thinking about work, I’m just trying to get everything done, but the pandemic is also a great opportunity to re-evaluate why we do what we do.

The Bible Project podcast has a series called The Priests of Eden¹ where they talk about work in the Hebrew Scriptures:

(50:00–end) The word “work” has several meanings. This is the Hebrew word abad, and it means “to work,” as well as “to serve” and “to worship.” As we read this passage, we are meant to have all three meanings in mind.

These words, “to work” and “to keep” (shamar), are used together elsewhere in descriptions of the priests and Levites working in and around the temple. In other words, the ideal vocation for humanity includes responsibilities we associate with priesthood.

The Bible Project talks about how the original intention of human work is priestly work—work that connects the world with God and vice versa—because what we do is meant to be worship. Our job isn’t just a pay cheque because work is profoundly spiritual.

The Apostle Peter draws on these same ideas when he writes: “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light” (1 Peter 2:9).

Whether you’re reading the Hebrew scriptures or the epistles, the call is the same: all of God’s people are called to be His priests wherever they are.

As we’re rethinking work in this season, we should also be evaluating how we can be ambassadors of God in whatever we do. If our working is meant to be worship, does that change how we interact with co-workers or do our jobs? Personally, that thought gives me pause.

As you go through the familiar rhythms of your workday, take some time to reflect. While you’re waiting for the coffee to brew or in the small silence between Zoom calls, ask yourself how your work intersects with worship—if at all. Ask questions like: Am I proud of what I’m accomplishing here? Is what I’m doing helping people or the environment? Is this good? Is my character aligned with God’s character? Does this feel like worship?

Give space for God to respond.

Maybe you’ve been doing your very best in a crazy time and you’re exactly where you need to be. Keep up the good work!

For some, it might be simple changes at your current job. Maybe it’s valuing people higher than projects or intentionally praying and interceding on behalf of coworkers. Perhaps it’s building deep friendships, empowering others with no expectation, or making yourself more available in the (post-COVID) lunchroom. Maybe you’re supposed to be a presence of peace in a difficult place or somebody who brings a meal to a co-worker who is having a hard time. Ask God to show up and empower you to worship and work in the places you are at.

For others, it might be time to prepare for a change in your career path or workplace. That’s scary, even in regular, non-pandemic times. If this is you, we’ve launched Marketplace as a ministry because we want to help people explore how their work can better intersect with worship.

Visit cmacan.org/go#marketplace to start a conversation about using your vocational skills to bring the hope of Jesus to the workplace.

 

¹ The Royal Priest • Episode 1. Retrieved March 29, 2021, from https://bibleproject.com/podcast/priestsof-eden/

 

This is an article from our Fall 2021 edition of Alliance Connection. Read the full copy here.