Work as Worship

There is a lot of attention lately to the intersection between the ordinary, everyday life and the sacred and spiritual.

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Mundane activities such as work, losing your keys, sending emails, being stuck in traffic might have deep spiritual significance.

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T. H. Warren, in her book Liturgy of the Ordinary, finds God and space to reflect on her life with God in the most ordinary tasks of everyday life.

In the Creation story Genesis 2:15, we read: "The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it."

The garden was the place where God walked with man and it was a place that had to be looked after. "To work it" and "keep it" meant everyday activities while looking after a garden. Moreover, these are the same words used to describe the duties of priests in the Temple. They were to "cultivate and keep" all that has been entrusted to them.

Now consider your own work in terms of what God has entrusted to you.

You do not have to be a priest, a missionary or a church worker to do what God wants in this world.

Sending an email might become a moment to reflect on reaching out to someone who could use a friend. A conflict with a colleague might turn into a moment of confession and extending forgiveness. Being stuck in traffic might also become a moment when you reflect on a virtue such as patience. Losing or changing your job might also be a moment when you learn to trust God and his providence.

When you find God in the ordinary then work is as meaningful as worship.