Seeing Work as the Oxymoronic Conundrum it is

Here we are, ready to celebrate Labor Day with a long weekend. As Christians, we should celebrate Labor Day. I mean, I think we should, shouldn’t we? Or not?

We Christians seems to have a relationship with work that I think best can be described as “oxymoronic.” (I have wanted to use that word for weeks, even if it – likely – isn’t a real word. I can go back to bed now.)

See, on the one hand, we see our labor as something good. On the other hand, we don’t see it that way. We’re suppose to enjoy our work, do it all to the glory of God, but don’t enjoy it so much that it takes us away from our family, worship or any other good thing God has provided. We’re supposed to use our God-given skills to generate income to provide for our families, support ministries, etc. But don’t become so enamored with your labor that you make it an idol.

The Bible fans this paradox, depending on how you read it. Psalm 127:1 starts out with wise counsel. “Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain.” Labor for God. Makes sense. But in the very next chapter, we get to celebrate labor as if it’s something we did: “You will eat the fruit of your labor; blessings and prosperity will be yours. (Pslam 128:2).

I find a lot of plain, simple wisdom about work in Eccelsiates 5:18: “Then I realized that it is good and proper for a man to eat and drink, and to find satisfaction in his toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given him—for this is his lot.” Amen.

So, there it is. This weekend, go out and celebrate the satisfaction of toilsome labor in an appropriately oxymoronic way… take the day off.

Compassion Confession

True confession: My labor productivity units haven’t been as high this week as usual. I’ve been mesmerized by the devastation and suffering caused by Katrina. I’ve lingered too long on the morning news shows and shown up later than usual for work. During the day, I’ve drifted to the news websites to view the incredible images of flooding in New Orleans. I’ve spent more time than usual talking with colleagues about the reports we’ve seen and stories we’ve heard and tried to make sense of it all.

As a Christian, I am sometimes challenged to use the right words to explain to friends and coworkers why I have faith that our loving and benevolent God is here with us in these horrific times. And it always feels unsatisfying as I stumble through it. (“No, see, there were these two folks, Adam and Eve, and they had what we call original sin, and ever since then, bad things happen to good people, but God is there even when bad things happen and He grieves just like we do and He loves us so much He sent His son who also had to die but He’s alive now. Would you be interested in coming to church on Sunday?” That’s another problem with great teachers like Billy Graham or Max Lucado – they’re never standing there at my desk when I need them!)

A few years ago, I agreed to give the Sunday sermon while our pastor was on vacation. Tragically, one of the matriarchs of our church died unexpectedly in a car accident while on vacation that week. (I am always surprised when newscasters say someone died “prematurely.” Do you know of many people who felt they died “late?”) I had the incredibly difficult task of giving a message that could minister to the congregation and family in the face of the loss of our friend and family member. I prayed like a maniac that week, and God answered with a message built around Hebrews 12:26-29:
“At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, ‘Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.’ The words ‘once more’ indicate the removing of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our ‘God is a consuming fire.’”

The fact is, we live in a shakeable world, with shakeable things that we’d better not get too attached to. That’s not always a message that’s easy to hear, but it’s an honest message that has proven accurate time and again. As a Christian, I’m grateful that there is also a kingdom that cannot be shaken. I’m looking forward to that (but not too early or prematurely, mind you). In the meantime, I watch the news, linger on the images, contribute what I can, and pray for the thousands of people affected.

Conspicuous Christianity

I know what Jesus said about wearing your faith on your sleeve. Matthew 6 starts out with a lot of “do nots” in this area. Starting in verse 1: "Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.”

But at work, I feel like I need to be somewhat conspicuous in my faith, so I can hold the weird world of work at bay. At the same time, since I’m at work, I’m also nervous about being too overt about my faith. So I try to subtly achieve what I call Conspicuous Christianity. I try to adorn my workspace with things that communicate what my values are.

So I no longer have the life-size inflatable Jesus (that was too conspicuous). The things I have are a bit more restrained. In fact, you may not even notice them at first (unlike the six-foot inflatable). Consider what you’ll find if you come into my office:

- A Bible verse a day calendar
- Handwritten notes all over my desk with favorite scriptures (including my life verse, Romans 12:2, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed, by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what is the will of God, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”
- Some favorite devotions from the Marketplace Leaders daily e-mail from Os Hillman tacked to my wall. (You can sign up at http://www.marketplaceleaders.org/)
- Three polished aluminum letters that spell D-a-d. (A father’s day gift from my favorite little urchins a few years ago.)
- Six different photographs of those same young’uns and their mother scattered around my work area.
- A wonderful collage of photos, autographed by those same kids, with Psalm 103:13 in the frame. (“As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him.”)
- A Bible on my desk. And not one of those little New Testament ones that the Gideons hand out on college campuses, either. This is a big honking King James Version Family Generations Heirloom Bible with the Words of Jesus in Red. (OK, just kidding, it’s a little one tucked discreetly in the corner. As I said, you get points for subtlety.)

I have those things around me for a couple reasons. First, they remind me on a minute-by-minute basis what is truly important to me. They help keep me grounded when I start to drift.

Second, they are meant to be conspicuous reminders to other people what kind of person I am – or at least what kind of person I aspire to be. I’ve been able to have some very positive conversations with co-workers who come into my office and know what kind of person I am, because of the signals I send through my actions and my office knick-knacks.

Finally, these things act as a form of accountability for me. If people see that this is what I aspire to, every time I say something that doesn’t glorify God, they can hold me accountable. Even if they don’t believe in the values I do – and especially if they don’t – showing everyone the faith I aspire to helps keep me accountable for my actions.

Fortunately, I work in a place that allows someone to have those elements around. It’s a blessing for me. And maybe for others.

What about you? What have you put in your office to help tell people who you are? Have you ever been challenged by having those things? Share your story.