The Bible begins with the words \u201cIn the beginning God created the heavens and the earth\u201d. One chapter later, we\u2019re told that when God created the world he was \u201cat work\u201d. That the very first thing we learn about God is that he is a worker is very significant. <\/p>\n
The nations around Israel believed that humans were created because the gods didn\u2019t want to work \u2013 work was beneath them. But the Scriptures show us a God who works. Work is not an evil necessity but something associated with God\u2019s character and so, when he creates humans and tells them to go and work in his garden, this is not a jail sentence but a privilege. <\/p>\n
Genesis 2 also tells us that God rested. He worked and he rested, and in so doing established a pattern for us. Humans aren\u2019t made for work alone but for work and rest. And as Hebrews tells us, rest is ultimately about our eternal relationship with God. We are made for the heavenly rest where we enjoy the presence of the living God and life full of joy and relationship in a renewed heavens and earth. <\/p>\n
Against this backdrop we read that God created us. And there are two really important truths here. First, we are created in the image of God. And second, as those created in God\u2019s image we are created specifically for work.<\/p>\n
When God made men and women \u2013 to fill the earth and to rule over it \u2013 he gave us the privilege of working as his agents in his creation. It\u2019s easy for us to miss the significance of this. Work is very, very good. Work is not the thing that you do to get to the good bits. There is something good about work, even when it\u2019s very \u201cworky\u201d! Even when it\u2019s tiring and difficult.<\/p>\n
Read it all<\/a>.<\/p>\n Joseph the Carpenter by Georges de La Tour, circa 1642.#YearofStJoseph<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/bzbZRYUnuk<\/a><\/p>\n — Brant Law (@Mr_BLaw) July 29, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n \n