Day 19 - Idle Work

Reading: 2 Thessalonians 3:10-13

The first verse of this passage in 2 Thessalonians may, at first, seem a bit harsh! - “Anyone unwilling to work should not eat…”

But notice that it does not say, anyone who cannot work – or anyone without work. It says anyone “unwilling.” As we stated earlier in the week, often there are times where we find ourselves without employment, whether because of family commitments or lack of a market for our skills. That is not the heart of the issue being discussed in 2 Thessalonians. The heart of the issue is that as children of God, made in the God’s image, we are made to work faithfully at the callings God has given us. And far too often, we are idle and lazy in our pursuit of God’s work – whether in the workplace, at home, or in transition.

As Christian people, we often ask: how can we best represent God in the work that we do? How do we take God to the office, but steer away from the tactic of Bible-beating people during board meetings?! How do we show others our faith through the work we are given?

The writer of the letter to the Thessalonians has become aware that people were idle in the community, acting like busybodies, not doing the work they’d been given – work that was good and righteous – the work of sharing the Gospel. Madeleine L’Engle says in her book, Herself, “If the work comes to the artist and says, ‘Here I am, serve me,’ then the job of the artist, great or small, is to serve.” Christ gave the Thessalonians and has given us, as artists in His creation, a beautiful, gospel work to serve. Are you following Christ’s example by serving, or are you following the Thessalonians’ example in being idle…?

Think about it in the context of the modern workplace. If you complain about how much work there is to do and talk about the demands of your job, but your colleagues often catch you playing on Facebook, dawdling after lunch, failing to take initiative and follow through on tasks, your actions will speak far louder than your words. Often, it seems, people point fingers at crews working on the roads, as one person drills a hole while the other three stand around watching, but in your own context, might you actually be one of the idle people on the team?

The Gospel rings so loudly when godly work is done with patience, diligence, and enthusiasm instead of idleness. One example comes to mind every time I think of joy and gospel enthusiasm in work.

One day when my mother was very ill, I went with her to the doctor. She needed some food while we were there, and so I trekked out to find the closest restaurant. I came first to a popular fast food chain, so I reluctantly popped in, feeling pretty miserable and queasy myself. I got into the queue, reached the till, and was greeted by a beaming smile on the face of a lady, probably about 75 years old. She was wearing a festive hat, ringing a bell merrily, and calling out robustly, “Good Afternoon! Welcome to Arby’s!! What can I do for you today?”

She had done all the she needed to do. The roast beef sandwich was a bonus. I’ve been in many fast food places in my life, had many roast beef sandwiches, and seen many days of suffering and illness. But that day was special because of one little old lady who instead of shuffling, uncaring along the counter smiled and greeted me with joy. I was too surprised to say anything then, but I often wish I could tell her how much that meant to me and how I will carry that faithful picture of Christ’s work with me for the rest of my life.

What work of the Gospel is Christ calling you to do? Without stopping to evaluate if you think it is a “small” or a “big” work, stop to ask Christ, other people of faith, and yourself, if you are faithfully preaching the gospel through the work that you do.

Putting Faith into Action:

In the midst of the work you do today, stop for one moment to smile at someone you would not normally notice, get someone a cup of tea who usually works through lunch or tea break, or ask God for strength, perseverance, and joy to finish a seemingly insurmountable or onerous task.
If you catch yourself idling on Facebook or wasting the day, stop for a moment to pray and ask God how Jesus might desire for your time in that particular moment to be spent. Ask what Gospel work you are called to serve at that specific time.

Prayer:

Working God, help us to seek you in every moment of the work you have prepared for us. Help us to act out your work faithfully throughout the day so that others will see in us the face of Christ. Amen.