City Life Starter

Written by Megan Meier

The Word

“Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.’ So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. And God blessed them. And God said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.; And God said, ‘Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food. And to every beast of the earth and to every bird of the heavens and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food.’ And it was so. And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.”

Genesis 1:26-31 (ESV)

“Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.”

Proverbs 16:3 (ESV)

Megan’s Musings

The Garden of Eden was considered the perfect mint-condition of the world, a place where God’s creation can flourish. Adam and Eve were (at that moment) the perfect mint-condition version of humanity, God’s representatives on earth, the King and Queen of the Garden in charge of the well-being of the plants and animals. 

Wait a minute. Work? In a perfect world?! WHAT!?

Before visions of Office Space or negative thoughts of your own job invade your head, let me clarify. 

Even in this perfect mint-condition world, work existed. God never intended for work to be dreadful, or something that has to be endured until one can afford to retire. But He never intended for His children to be idle (Proverbs 12:24). God intended for humanity to reflect His character, His creativity, His goodness. Adam and Eve were God’s representatives on earth, the reflection of God’s character. Their work reflected God’s character and represented Him on earth. Also they did what they were made to do, to take care of God’s creation and enjoy a relationship with God. God set the tone for work Himself by continuously working, only having rested from His creation on the seventh day. He still works today. 

Jesus, who lived up to the phrase “like Father, like Son”, did the same. The Son of God reflected His character and represented His Father in His Work. Before His ministry, Jesus worked as a carpenter (Mark 6:3), I’d like to think He saved some of His earnings to fund it. Whether He liked the work or not, we won’t know until we go to heaven, but the income allowed Him to do what He came to earth for: to minister and love God’s children. 

Application

Do you reflect God’s character and represent Him, not just at work, but in everyday life? 

Would you say you really like your job? It’s okay to be honest with yourself. Here are some books if you’re looking for more purpose in your work, or even different work: 

• Cure for the Common Life by Max Lucado
• 48 Days to the Work You Love by Dan Miller
• From Paycheck to Purpose by Ken Coleman
• Called to Create by Jordan Raynor

And if you have a long commute, here are some podcast ideas:

• 48 Day to the Work You Love with Dan Miller
• The Ken Coleman Show
• Self Help(ful) with Kevin Miller (Dan Miller’s Son!)

Prayer

Dear Lord, help me to represent and reflect You in my work and everyday life. Help me to find You in my work, or if You are calling me to different work, please grant me the courage and resources to fulfill Your Will. In Jesus’ Name I pray, amen.