Celebrating God @ Work

I must admit that Deuteronomy isn’t exactly the first place I turn for insights on workplace faith. But I was struck the other morning by Deuteronomy 12:7. As the new generation of Israel stand on the edge of Canaan, Moses reminds them of all God has taught them. In the middle of a discussion about worship, he says this: “There, in the presence of the LORD your God, you and your families shall eat and shall rejoice in everything you have put your hand to, because the LORD your God has blessed you.” Their worship is to be a place where they all go, with their families (and their food!) and celebrate before God all the ways in which God has blessed their daily work. A key part of their worship is rejoicing at the fruits of their labors. Does this describe your Sunday morning service?

I am reminded of the first disciples, after Jesus has sent 72 of them out into the world to participate in the message of hope and reconciliation that Jesus brings. They return full of joy, marveling at what God has been doing amongst and through them. They’re amazed at God’s sovereignty and victory witnessed by them in specific, personal ways (not just in theory in sermons!) “The seventy-two returned with joy and said, ‘Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.’" (Luke 10:17) One imagines a child coming back home after a first weekend at camp, full of excitement, thrilled that they were able to make it without mom and dad, and bursting with all the stories that they have built.

Does our corporate worship encourage such wide-eyed enthusiasm? Sadly, for most of us, I think not. Perhaps it’s because we don’t go out into the workplace with the expectations of God’s blessings. Perhaps it’s also because in our churches we don’t challenge one another, encourage one another, and share the joys and tragedies of our work environments with one another enough.

What do you think?