What Does God Say About Your Work?

Over the years I’ve been in a intermittent tug-of-war between work and living life.   

I want to be wise, mature and responsible with my work, career, business, and family while at the same time taking pleasure in my personal interests, hobbies, and ministry passions. But what does God value most? Sometimes it’s like a tractor pull contest inside of me. I think that’s one reason Psalm 90:17 caught my eye.

May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us;

establish the work of our hands for us–

yes, establish the work of our hands. Ps. 90:17

Then I noticed the Psalmist’s words a few verses before this in Psalm 90:14.

Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love. Ps. 90:14I liked the thought behind this and in order to understand it better, I researched the meanings of the original Hebrew words. Based on the definitions I found in the Hebrew dictionary and lexicon, I jotted a JCW paraphrase of the verses into my journal. Here it is:

Lord, at the beginning of each day satisfy us (fill us up until we’ve had plenty) with your kindness, mercy, beauty and relief.

Establish, affirm and confirm (stabilizing us to stand erect, not bent over under a heavy burden)

the work (that which is within our boundaries to do, all that we manage and create–our business, deeds, as well as our art, even needlework)

of our unclenched hands (the intentions/goals we have that are in our personal power to implement.) 

Oh. My. I sat speechless at what I learned. Really. It’s like God gave me permission to stand tall, set perimeters for my work and expect Him to confirm my daily endeavors as I came before Him with open hands trusting to receive. (And for a person who had often crawled through life under the heavy burden of work demands and “shoulds”, this was breath-giving!)

YOUR TURN: How about you? Do you ever have a tug-of-war between the demands of your work and the rest of your life?

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