Work was meant to be an expression of what Christ called the greatest commandment— “‘and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” (Mk. 12:30-31) This expression, this act of worship if you will, of doing work that demonstrates the love one has for God and to the benefit of one’s neighbor infuses our work with meaning and joy.

For the past several decades, I have met many in the marketplace who are suffering from an identity crisis yielding genuine frustration. When work and career have not gone as expected, despondency and depression have often followed.

Coming from a Christian worldview, my understanding of identity has long been grounded and rooted in knowing that there is greater meaning and purpose in my life (and work) endowed to me by my Creator, the God of the Bible.

Identity and purpose have become less clear as we have moved further toward removing faith, belief in God, from so many aspects of our contemporary lives. It now depends on the individual to confer meaning and purpose.

“What does faith have to do with it?” has become a popular internal, if not externally voiced, question for so many issues we face.

Rather than attempt to argue the larger questions, for a proper understanding of God’s interest in (and, in fact, dominion over all) issues of life, I’d like to take a pragmatic view. One that believes integrating the Christian faith into work, labor and creativity can bring purpose and fulfillment in the work experience.

What is Work?

If we recognize and acknowledge work as a gift from God (given to us, the Bible states, prior to the Fall of man), we are able to explore the original intent and purpose for work in our lives.

I believe that work has been gifted to us by God, which means it comes with certain responsibilities as well. We are to work in a certain way (to God’s standards, if you will) that result in the bringing forth a great value to the society and community where the work is done. Work should be an addictive process, filled with value for the worker and those who benefit from the creative or sustaining act.

Integration of faith and work allows and provides for a purpose-driven view of work. Work is to be done to the glory of God and celebrated as an endeavor that provides joy to the worker and blessings to the beneficiary.

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