The Joy of Work (Part 2)

Bible Reading: John 6:25-29

“Hi, Uncle Rob!” Calvin and his dad walked into his uncle’s living room. “You’re up! We thought you’d be in bed.” Uncle Rob had fallen from a ladder and hurt his back and was now back home after spending several days in the hospital.

Uncle Rob smiled. “Thankfully I don’t have much pain now. I’ll probably never be able to go back to construction work, though—or even lift anything very heavy.”

“That’s too bad,” said Dad. “I know you loved your work.”

Uncle Rob nodded. “I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to find any work I could still do, but then my boss offered me a job in the office. Instead of doing the actual construction, I’ll be helping with planning and finding all the building materials.”

“That’s great!” said Dad. “What an answer to prayer.”

“Yes,” said Uncle Rob. “Before I got the job offer, I was worried at the thought of not being able to work. The work we do often gives us a sense of joy and accomplishment, and I was afraid of what life would be like without a job.”

“Mom and I were talking about work yesterday,” Calvin said. “She said God created us to work, and we can find joy in our work when we do it for Him. It helped me think about work in a different way, but I never thought about how it would feel if I weren’t able to work at all.”

“Me neither,” said Uncle Rob. “At least, not until I was injured and wasn’t sure I’d be able to find another job. But then I remembered that even if I weren’t able to work again myself, I could still find joy in another person’s work.”

“Really?” Calvin asked. “Whose?”

“The work of Jesus,” Uncle Rob replied. “He saved us by dying on the cross for our sin. No matter what we go through, we can find rest and joy in Him, knowing that He finished the work of our salvation and is working in our hearts to make us more like Him.” Uncle Rob smiled. “He wants us to do our work here on earth to help others and bring Him glory, but our ultimate joy comes not from what we do but from who we are—God’s children.” – Agnes Livezey

How About You?

Do you enjoy work? Have you considered how it would feel if you weren’t able to do any work? If you or someone you know is experiencing a difficult situation like that, remember that our ultimate joy and identity come not from the work we do but from the work Jesus has done. Jesus saved us and made us His children, and we can trust Him to work out our lives for His glory.

Today’s Key Verse:
John 6:29 Jesus said to them, “This is the work of God, that you put your trust in the One He has sent.” (NLV)

Today’s Key Thought:

Rejoice in Jesus’ work