We who are called to imitate Christ should live out our lives as a sign, an example pointing to the way things could be in every aspect of our lives. Because we celebrate human creativity as evidence of our being made in the Creator’s likeness, Christians must encourage one another to do work worthy of our best efforts and worthy of our high calling. “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men (Col. 3:23).”
There is a website called Despair, Inc. which makes fun of the signs and motivational posters that adorn the walls of so many offices. My favorite is one that shows a picture of a sinking ship. Under the picture the caption reads, “It could be that the purpose of your life is only to serve as a warning to others.”
All kidding aside, what does the purpose of your life at work tell other people?
In his book Aspects of Christian Social Ethics, Carl Henry writes,
According to the Scriptural perspective, work becomes a way station of spiritual witness and service, a daily traveled bridge between theology and social ethics. In other words, work for the believer is a sacred stewardship, and in fulfilling his job he will either accredit or violate the Christian witness.
Believers can and should think differently from everyone else in our culture about all aspects of life, especially work.
Jesus’ Miracles as Signposts
Is your life, what you do on a daily basis (especially your life at work), a signpost pointing to the way things could be?
In Mark 1:15, Jesus declares, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” During his life on earth, Jesus’ miracles revealed his divine nature and announced his kingdom.
In John 2:11, the apostle called Jesus’ miracles “signs,”
This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him.
During his ministry on earth, Jesus healed the sick, gave sight to the blind, and fed the five thousand. But did Jesus heal everyone that was sick, and did he feed everyone that was hungry?
No, he did not.
Could he have?
Of course. As the son of God, he could have done anything he wanted to do.
Then why didn’t he?
Theologians suggest that Jesus was demonstrating his power and authority in these signs and wonders. This is correct, but there is another reason, too.