Growing up, I grew to dislike weekends. Unlike many other kids my age, weekends at our home were not about lounging by the pool or hanging out at the beach. Unlike the popular 80’s song by Debbie Deb, weekends at the Pena household were not “made for fun” but rather “made for work.” I still recall countless weekends spent building room additions, mowing lawns, repairing skylights, car maintenance, etc.
It was rare to have a weekend where we were not undertaking some major construction or home repair. When I grew older, I started complaining to my dad about why we always had to be working on the weekends. “Who else is going to do the work?” was his reply. My father continues the family tradition to this day, but now in his late 70s and “retired,” paces himself.
However, in time, I realized how invaluable those days were. Growing up, my father was a hard-working man who worked a physically demanding job. During the week, he’d come home exhausted and spent. Therefore, he only had time to work on the house on weekends.
The reasons for working on the weekends were two-fold. The first was because he loves all things construction and building. During the week, he worked as a welder, which he didn’t love, but it provided. The second was that he preferred doing things the “right way” and building things with his hands.
Not surprisingly, He wanted to share his passion and work ethic with me. Of course, at the time, I thought it was more punishment than a prize. I realized the wonderful gift he gave me only after I left home. To my amazement, it was one of the top traits that impressed my girlfriend, now wife!
Today, I’m thankful for all he taught and continues teaching me. I now pass on this knowledge to my kids. Most importantly, I now understand the Scriptural mandate to view work as worship. Yes, it will be challenging and tough at times, but if we embrace this reality, God will use it for His glory. Work is work, but work is also worship. Work is also a rewarding command.
Daily Directive:
Answer and Journal the Following
Read:
“Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: 5 Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat their produce. 6 Take wives and have sons and daughters; take wives for your sons, and give your daughters in marriage, that they may bear sons and daughters; multiply there, and do not decrease. 7 But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.
Pray:
Pray for God to help you view work as worship.
Meditate
Contemplate and meditate on this passage. How are you honoring God with your work while also providing for your family?
Show and Share:
List some practical ways you will make work a form of worship.
