Advent: Embracing Wonder and Waiting in Our WorkSample

LOVE

Love. It has to be one of THE most compelling forces in our world. Love broke through the pride and prejudice of Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy. Love sent the lowly Westley on a life-threatening journey to reunite with Princess Buttercup. Love compelled Chance, Sassy, and Shadow to leave the leisure of a sprawling ranch in a dangerous pursuit of their beloved kids. Love drives us. And Scripture explains to us that “love covers a multitude of wrongdoing” (1 John 4:8). The Bible also tells us that even if your life is full of good things and righteous deeds, if you don’t have love then it’s all meaningless in the end.

Love is powerful. And for those of us who want to live a meaningful life, it is essential.

Remember that Advent is an invitation to slow down in anticipation and preparation for the birth of Jesus. In these days before Christmas, where tensions may be high with co-workers taking time off, family expectations looming overhead, and culture pulling you towards distraction, lean into the invitation of Advent. Embrace grace. Carve out time for restorative rest. Give yourself space to consider the force of love in your life, remembering that God is love.

Checklists, to-do lists, production, and outcomes are valuable tools and measures, but without love, they are meaningless in the end. When it comes to our work, love matters. Love for our clients or customers compels us to keep going when we feel discouraged and overwhelmed. Love for God invites us to take risks even when the stakes feel high. Knowing that we are beloved allows us to honor our limitations and trust the process. Without love, our work can become stale, or worse, it can swallow us up in an endless pursuit of shadows. But in love, our work is both anchored and empowered.

Reflect:

1. When do you feel most loved? What does it mean to be a beloved child of God?
2. How can your belovedness impact your relationship with work? In what ways does love propel you in your work?
3. As you reflect on Advent and the love that Jesus has for you in His coming, consider how you might be a vessel of powerful love this week.