False Dichotomy
and there was no man to till the ground Genesis 2:5
To Till – A few months ago we explored this Hebrew verb. We discovered that ‘avad is not really about farming. It means “to work,” but it also means “to serve” and, in that context, “to worship.” So, the same Hebrew verb that covers ordinary effort and tasks is also the word that is used to describe service (to the earth, to God and to others) and worship. This is very important. There is no distinction between sacred and secular in the Hebrew idea of what we do in life.
Today I had a conversation with my friend John about this book we have been trying to complete for nearly three years. The book is all about work. It’s about understanding how God hard-wired us so that our choices about work will be expressions of service and worship. In other words, it’s about being who we were born to be, and in the process, glorifying God and blessing others. That is what Hebrew “work” means.
John has a real heart for missions. Perhaps it comes from his family background. At any rate, he is extremely concerned about the burn-out rate among missionaries. Most burn-out is a direct result of attempting to do those things which are not in alignment with God’s hard-wired Zone in my life (a Zone is the place where passion and opportunity intersect perfectly). So John wanted to add a chapter to the book, explaining why missionaries and church professionals find it so difficult to enjoy rewarding work. I objected. You might say, “Why did you object when the need is so great?” Oh, I recognize the need, but I objected because there is no difference between the sacred and the secular when it comes to ‘avad. To draw an artificial distinction between the missionary on the field and the check-out guy at the Super Target is to endorse a grand mistake. The only difference between the pulpit and the cash register is location. How I express my Zone while glorifying God and blessing others is exactly the same. Yes, my actual behaviors are different, but work isn’t about my behaviors. Every task has a different set of behaviors. Work is about living in the presence of God as He created me no matter where I am or what set of operations I happen to be doing at the moment. Suggesting that missionaries are a special case because they are doing the Lord’s work is just bad theology. Serving people in the check-out line is just as much mission field work as trudging through the bush.
Ultimately, work is not what I do. It is who I am. Nothing grew on the earth because God had not sent rain (an element completely dependent on divine sovereignty) and there was no man to serve/work/worship (an element that depends entirely on us). Go to work! Go to church! It doesn’t matter. Those are just locations where you practice being God’s instrument. You can worship on Monday just as well as you can worship on the Sabbath. The behaviors might be different, but the relationship remains the same.
Topical Index: work, ‘avad, Genesis 2:5
I think the whole issue of work/worship is a huge one today because we do tend to put them in our nice Greek boxes, separating them. And it’s perpetuated by our view of what church is and how the service runs. I sing, and right now I “lead worship” at a church once a month-ish, and i really don’t like the term “leading worship” because it implies that the only time I can worship is if there’s a “leader” and it also perpetuates the idea that worship is singing or clapping or requires music (it would be kind of fun to have a soundtrack accompanying life though) and it’s something that you only do when you “go to church”. I love music and I love singing and I love worshiping God that way, but I have to remind myself that going to my job and teaching students (albeit to be Greek-minded, although I think this year I’ll be subversive and try and make things more Hebrew – not entirely sure how, but I’ll certainly approach literature a little differently) is also worship – even when it doesn’t seem that way (maybe I’m working in the wrong zone).
I hope you and John finish the book soon, because I’d LOVE to know more about the zones. I’ve been to the site and read everything there, and listened to your brief description of them on one of the mp3 series, but, since I don’t have the ability to have a consultation on the zones, I’m very eager to find out more in your book!
You have lots of projects going on, Skip! We sure appreciate your hard work! I’m bummed I missed the webinar last night (I fell asleep on the couch long before it started). I’ll have to check out the recording. Thanks for all you bless us with!
A.
(I think this year I’ll be subversive and try and make things more Hebrew – not entirely sure how, but I’ll certainly approach literature a little differently)
Yes Amanda, that is a way to honor HaShem, to make your work be about Him, and His people. May you and your students prosper in this endeavor.
“I’m bummed I missed the webinar last night”
Hi Amanda,
Speaking of the webinar, if you haven’t read Leading Like Jesus, you might want to read it first.
I reread Leading Like Jesus the night before the webinar as a kind of preparation.
And was amazed by what I had forgotten.
Most of what I think about work and worship and Jesus was synthesized for me in Skip’s book.
oops, I meant “Words to Lead By.”
(it would be kind of fun to have a soundtrack accompanying life though) – I like that Amanda. As a matter of fact you do have a “soundtrack” accompanying you (at the checkout counter at Super Target!). He is the Holy Spirit or Holy Breath. “Remember” Ephesians- “speaking to yourselves in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs- singing and making melody in your hearts to the LORD”. We who are His have a song(this song never leaves) at all times. I will bless the LORD at all times!- His praise shall continuously be in my mouth! O magnify the LORD with me and let us exalt His name together!- (yes, at the checkout counter at Super Target!)
I love what you have to say this morning,brother Skip. And I must confess, (Amanda, are you listening?)- I was brought up (also) in the Greek-based model of “dual-citizenship” -upper and lower level Christianity- aka: those in “full-time” Christian service and us menial denizens (the bottom feeders) working at Super Target. We must, we must, we must- come to the recognition and realization we (all) are in this together. Yes, dear family- the preacher, the poet, the plumber, the pirate and the person working the counter at Super Target. (I may have to go apply for a job here today!)
Now, I’m not going to sit here banging away at this keyboard and not confess a “holy jealously” for those involved in “full-time” Christian work. I’ve had many an “internal” battle over this. Mucho-mucho. I cannot say the battle is 100% over, (I still wrestle with this), -maybe this is my “Goliath”, I don’t know. After all I’m “just” a checkout boy at the Super Target or I’m “just” a man.
Are we in this thing “together?” We’re not going anywhere until we answer this. “What say ye?” I asked, “are we in this together?” We are “one among many!” Get it? got it?.. good.
I am a little cog in a great big wheel. But, (love those Bible buts!)- I am a cog. Yes, part of a great big wheel that has been rollin’ on for centuries. You lookin’ for my I.D.? Well.. here it is. This is “who” I am. (Actually what matters is- “Whose” I am!)
My “name” is Carl. (in Hebrew thought- names are important!- “names” have signifigance, “names” have “weight!”- Amen? ) My name- “Carl”, means “man!” Aren’t you impressed? When someone says, “hey man”, I should answer- “what?” lol! Yes, that’s right – “man”, a face in the crowd. In Chinese, I believe it would translate- “sumdum guy!” “Just” a man. A man. Any man.
Well.. hold on there partner.. there’s been just a slight modification here. What does 2 Corinthians 5:17 have to say about this? (You have this verse memorized, right?)
If “any man”- (hey, that’s me!) be “in Christ”, he is a new creature,.. behold, (go on- take a good look!) old things are passed away, all things are become new! I now have a “new” name!- “Behold, I make all things new”. I am no longer “just a man”, I am now – “a just man!” Now, that’s what I’m talkin’ bout!- He (I wonder Who that could be?) has made me “new!”. Yes, I’ll have to say- “extreme makeover!” – lol! Praise His name- (at the checkout counter in Super Target) I am (today), not what I used to be, and by His grace and for His glory, I am not (yet) what I’m going to be. This little cog here, is in the process of some change, and dear family I can assure you- I like it! – pardon me..(Hallelujah!)
Skip, may I suggest a sequel to the “ezer.” This is the females “role”. We (the menfolk) are the servants. Maybe this could be the title: “the servant.” It is who we are, “in Christ.”
My I.D.? All my towels are marked, “His.”
Skip: thanks for the word of encoragement; it was timely as my”work” within a non-profit organization, (with people; the Godly an ungodly alike is taxing my very being at this present time) Hwever, years ago the Lord blessed me with the understanding that my work is not as much about what I do as much as it is about who I am while I am doing what I am doing. Amen.
God Bless and May the Lord bless the work of your hands.
Janet Malone
Skip, I remember first reading about ‘avad on Saturday morning, January 12th, 2008. It opened up a whole new understanding to me. And kicked off a pretty serious chain of events that impacted the course of my life. (Yes, the “I met Skip Moen and he ruined my life” T-shirt would be appropriate here.)
But from the bottom of my heart, I say THANK YOU for “ruining” my life. 🙂