What looks like bad work to you? It can be a very personal thing – I was surprised when I told people about leading Redeem the Commute, and they said, “I’m glad someone is doing it, but especially glad it’s not me.”
I watched a TV show lately about a tow truck driver – it showed him going about his work in the middle of the night, doing a job many wouldn’t want. But he said he’d tried multiple jobs, hated them all – and then found the towing business and it just fit. He’d found his passion for work, even though other people would hate it working those late nights, alone, at risk and dealing with mechanical work.
There are definitely bad jobs out there – some are really awful, which became apparent with media coverage, for example, of the textile industry in Bangladesh.
Some jobs aren’t terrible themselves, they are just a bad fit.
And there are some good jobs that we see in the wrong light – something about us means they are less than they should be. We might think they’ll be much more than they are, or we might think too highly of ourselves to do certain kinds of work, even though they are good.
Question: What’s the worst job you ever had? What made it so bad? Was it bad for everyone, or just you?
Acknowledgements: Tim Keller, Every Good Endeavour and Work & Rest
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We saw on Tuesday the story of Simeon, and what he said about Jesus bringing salvation available for all people. He picks up Jesus and says:
“for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.”
Simeon was considered a righteous and devout man. It would have been easy to rely on his good works for his salvation. Instead he goes and picks up a baby boy, and says this is the source of his salvation.
For him, that was a life-changing experience. We pray that Jesus’ arrival on earth is lifechanging for you too.
Through this series, we’re seen Jesus’ impact on the religious, powerful, poor, and next week, the wise.
If you are religious – beware of trying to earn your salvation, you will find yourself falling short every time and in despair. For you, Jesus’ birth brings hope. God came to you, you don’t have to get to God.
If you are powerful – beware of feeling like there are threats all around, and falling into fear. Jesus is your comfort. He is the true source of all power wherever it is exercised, and he can live in you and work through you to build kingdom of god, rather than your own kingdom.
If you are poor – you are probably aware of your reliance on God and God alone. It is easier to know you are spiritually poor when you are materially poor, as material wealth can obscure our need for help and salvation. Jesus represents spiritual riches offered freely to all of us, rich and poor, but so often rejected by the wealthy and accepted by the poor.
Whoever you are, God coming to earth reresents grace – a free gift from God you didn’t earn, didn’t force, and didn’t buy. It was a turning point in world. Will it be a turning point in your life?
Challenge: Explore Jesus this coming year – take Christianity 101 (info below), or get in touch with me for personal coaching.
Reminder: We are reading the Bible in sync as one community - so check out today's reading at https://www.redeemthecommute.com/readingplan
Reminder: The best way to grow spiritually this year is to join our Christianity 101 in the Cafe Course in Pickering starting January 22nd. Register for you and a friend today at https://www.redeemthecommute.com/events/!
In preparation for Christmas, our Daily Challenges are going to explore the lifechanging significance of Jesus' birth so long ago. It's more than a sentimental story, or a time for generosity, Christmas celebrates The Night that Changed Everything. We'll explore the original Christmas story from the Bible, and its impact on five kinds of people.
