Tuesday, September 6, 2005
Genesis 1:27-28 God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Then God blessed them, and God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth."
WORK IS A FOUR-LETTER WORD . . . LIKE "PRAY"
God created human beings to have dominion over nature, to make use of it by causing it to serve them, and so to further demonstrate the glory and goodness of their Maker. While all was perfect, it was made to be cultivated and cared for. None of the grains would continue without cultivation. They do not exist "in the wild".
Besides, while a perfect peaches hung on perfect trees in the Garden of Eden, they was made to be picked and their wonderful flavor enhanced and highlighted by preparation and serving. Perfect peaches must have made really good peach pie.
Work was not ruled out by the perfection of the original creation, it was a natural and glorious part of it. God worked . . . and rested. So did the creatures He created in His image.
Yes, sin has made work to be less than pure blessing. But even when work is a heavy burden, that is not the whole story. Work is now a mixed blessing, but still a blessing. This is especially true for us as Christ's people. He has redeemed the whole of our lives. Now we can take up our daily tasks as opportunity to thank and serve the LORD who bought us. And how often doesn't our Master use work to put us in a position to share the Word of Life with others.
" . . . whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God" (1 Cor 10:31).
