A life without...

I found the following little poem quite significant.  It reminded me that work is not a curse, but a blessing.  It encouraged me to remember that I have been given strength, creativity, and ability to be God's co-labourer in the wonderful work of renewing and transforming the face of the earth. Indeed, work can be worship (Col 3.23).

A life without work would be a bore.

A life without rest would be torture.

A life without play would be a grind.

A life without reflection would be empty.

A life without God would be pointless.

~ Mark Greene from "Supporting Christians at work (without going insane)" see http://www.licc.org.uk

Comments

[Greg Benvenuti]

Dion

Good to hear that your daughter has recovered from her illness. I'm sure that most people would be happy to accept the first four lines of this poem as general truisms, but I can assure you that the last line does not ring true for me. Actually I was a little upset at the implication that because I don't believe in God, someone would think that my life is pointless. Certainly I don't have that opinion about people who *do* believe in God. I may not be living today with the aim of achieving a reward in an afterlife, but that does not mean I can't have aims, hopes and ambitions for this existence. Do you think that it's true that only people "have" God in their lives can lead fulfilling lives?

[Simon Goodfellow]

God's story that we are part of insists that our purpose, existence and life is to give him glory, therefore work must be worship.

Interesting point Greg. Modern culture accepts an aggregate approach to belief, so you tack one on here and drop one there, its a very humanist concept as at its centre is me! If you change the perspective and look at it from God's perspective then this simply doesn't make sense. Dion and I and everyone who follows Jesus accepts the story God has given us through the bible, its God centred and in this story glorifying God is simply the only point to life, all life including humans.

I can wish you all the best as you follow the story of life you've taken and that it works out for eternity. For me I'm trusting in a God I have a personal relationship with, healed by Jesus and I'll do my best to follow His story.

[Dr Dion Forster]

Hi Greg,

Thanks for your reply - please forgive me for taking so long to respond. I have been a little busy with travel and other priorities for a few days.

I appreciate your honesty. Your comment kept me thinking for quite a while. Of course, from my perspective I would think that a life that is simply lived for one's own good is not pointed in the right direction. That is a stated and accepted bias on my part.

Moreover, I would contend that the purpose of the quote (which is also from a Christian, who I suppose would share a similar view to mine - ie., that life is intended to be lived for a greater good than 'the self') was not to make a comment on self-actualisation, or one's own sense of enjoyment and fulfillment in life. Rather, the quote emphasizes that there are transcendent reasons for engaging in work. In particular that work is not bad, it should not be seen as a form of punishment or struggle, but rather that most tasks, when performed for a higher good, can have great meaning and purpose for the individual and great benefit for humanity.

I hope to see you when you're in Cape Town later this year! It would be great to have a beer and chat.

Thanks again for the comment. As always, you got me thinking!

Regards,

Dion

[Greg Benvenuti]

Dion

I would agree that a life lived solely for one's own good would be particularly hollow. However, I would think that there are not many people who really live life like that. After all, to use a hackneyed phrase - no man is an island. Certainly part of my life, specifically my work, is so that I can have food to eat and a roof over my head (plus a *few* luxuries). But I could argue that my work at the moment is for future generations. I have realised that the way we currently run our economies is unsustainable in the long term and we need to change. I'm using my skills to help make that happen. Other parts of life include my relationships with my partner, family, friends. There have been many occasions when I've selflessly helped and supported those around me. I also give as generously as possible to charitable organisations.

I'm also interested in your interpretation of work as worship. What are the implications for those who don't have work? I know that in South Africa unemployment is very high. I would also imagine that the damage done to people by unemployment is far greater than any damage done to people who merely don't enjoy their jobs! It seems doubly unfair to me that those unemployed have access to one less form of worship!

Yes, I am really looking forward to my trip to Cape Town and especially to see my new niece! I understand that you will be officiating the christening - I will be there for that. And I'll be staying at Stephen's house while I'm in Cape Town.

Cheers
Greg