Tuesday, December 12, 2006
"The first Noel the angel did say was to certain poor shepherds…”
We are thinking this week of how God does not always seem to be clearly visible to us in our lives, and to begin to look at where God might be hiding among us.
HOW DO OTHERS LIVE BETTER BECAUSE OF WHAT I DO? Dr. John Clifford
Sometimes, as the shepherds of the Christmas story remind us, God comes to us while we work! Our modern world has made work something less than a pleasure for many people. The industrial era was one of hard work in fairly joyless settings with little real feeling of being part of the final product, while the digital age has set us apart from others and focused our work on computer screens. It is not slavery, to be sure, but work conditions do not seem conducive to discovering God’s hand in our hours.
But the shepherds were no better off, and the angels sang to them! Our work, as well, can be a place where we encounter the Lord in unexpected ways. It there someone where you work who you have had a chance to encourage, or who encourages you? Have you shared in the hardest tasks and found them simple when done together. Have you found that what you do helps others live more easily and comfortably? Have you ever taken the time to think about this?!
When we find that our work really is “productive” – that is, it produces some benefit for those who receive the product – then we can see how our efforts are blessing the world. Maybe we will hear angels singing to us then!
Prayer: Lord, we know Jesus was a carpenter, who found in both is work and his ministry the power of touching lives with blessing. Help us to see our work in this light of ministry as well. In Jesus’ name. Amen.