Work or Worship
Today was another interesting day “under the golden dome” at the capitol. It accompanied Nate Banke, the CSU Chi Alpha Director to a House Education Committee meeting to testify on a bill about the right and freedom of Christian organizations to select leaders for their group based on the groups doctrine and code of conduct.
While that seems simple enough, it was interesting to hear the discussion that ensued some of the questions that were asked. Across the country several Christian groups have been obligated to adhere to “non-discrimination” policies that apply to the leaders of the group. This sets aside the bylaws of the group, and overrides the groups criteria for selecting its own leaders. The bill actually failed by one vote after four and half hours of testimony.
I have mentioned how that last year at this time, I was restricted to a power wheelchair and a handicap van. Now that I have progressed to a walker and am able to drive myself, the van is for sale. If you or anyone you know is in need or interested in a handicap van with a lift let me know.
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…. “…Now let’s build a city with a tower that reaches the sky, so that we can make a name for ourselves and not be scattered all over the earth.” (Genesis 11:4) “The Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, “This is the country that I am going to give to your descendants.” Then Abram built an altar there to the Lord, who had appeared to him.” (Genesis 12:7)
This past weekend at Timberline Church, Jeff Lucas was speaking on greatness from the life of Abraham. As he addressed several myths about greatness he discussed the myth that “work is more important than worship.” He referred to the contrast between people building the tower of Babel and Abraham building an altar. This observation got my attention and prompted some thoughts.
So much of our life can be focused on “doing.” Ambition is good, but “blind ambition” is folly. Work is good. But work without or even against God’s plan and purpose brings confusion. That is what we see in the building of the tower of Babel. The express purpose of the effort was to, “make a name for ourselves.” And so it is with so many of our efforts. The goal of pursuing goals and success is to simply, “build a name” a reputation of self. It is almost out of envy of success.
Abraham found that God was choosing him to be great. He did not set out to make a name for himself. He heard from God and obeyed in faith and God credited his faith to him as righteousness. As the Lord called Abraham the first thing he did was build an altar to the Lord. That required work. But at the end of the work, at the end of all the effort was not a monument to the greatest of a man, but a place of worship to the Lord who is able to make our plans and purposes come to pass.
I believe it was Ronald Reagan who once said, “It is one thing to ask God to bless American, it is another for American to bless God.” It is one thing to ask God to bless our plans, it is another for us to have our plans line up with God’s will and purposes for our life.
In order for our work to be successful and fulfilling, it must be preceded by worship. A God-centered life, is the path to true greatness. Remember the Lord’s instructions to Joshua as he began the work of leading the Children of Israel to the promise land:
“Be sure that the book of the Law is always read in your worship. Study it day and night, and make sure that you obey everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.” (Joshua 1:8)
Let’s make sure we don’t worship our work, but that our worship informs, empowers and gives meaning to our work.