Sabbath Rest in a Restless WorldSample

Doing Good Work

The LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it. (v. 15)

So far our readings have explored rest and “ceasing” from work and activity. However, there’s an important place for work, especially when it’s done the way God intends. Not only does God go to work in the beginning, but God places Adam in the garden “to work it and take care of it” (v. 15 NIV).

We see that work, as God designed it, is inherently good. It isn’t until after Adam and Eve rebel against God that work becomes toil: “Cursed is the ground because of you; in pain you shall eat of it all the days of your life; thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you; and you shall eat the plants of the field” (Gen. 3:17-18).

In a fallen world, our work is tainted by sin, but it’s not completely void of goodness. The good news is that in Christ, God has come to redeem all things—including our work. Even now, our work can honor God and be a blessing to others.

Benedictine monks embraced the Latin motto laborare est orare, which translates in English as “to work is to pray.” What they meant by it is that all our work, when done in the right spirit, can become prayer—worship that gives God praise. This is good work: when the work of our hands, by the spirit of our devotion, becomes the worship of our hearts.

As you pray, ask God to help your work today be an act of worship.