Work is not easy. And being new to the working world is exhausting. At least for me.

Seeking to learn more about it, I just finished Every Good Endeavor by Tim Keller and, goodness, that man is so wise. The book is about how Jesus can be honored in and through our work, and it is phenomenal! I would recommend it to EVERYONE(!!), but especially recent graduates as well as anyone who is anxious about finding their career.

Here are a few of my big takeaways (there is so much more I don’t have time to discuss!):

Work is not about us.

God has been working since the beginning. And when He created men & women in His image, His work became our work too. Work was a part of paradise!

“[Work] was part of God’s perfect design for human life, because we were made in God’s image, and part of his glory and happiness is that he works, as does the Son of God, who said, ‘My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working’ (John 5:17).”        (Keller)

God made us to work with Him to accomplish His purposes–to bring His Kingdom here, and to share in His joy while doing so. Work is made for pouring ourselves out, not building ourselves up. Work is about Jesus. Keller points out that as we inject the world with God’s “pattern of cultural development” we make it better, more beautiful, and we carry on the work He started.

Our worldview shapes our work lives. 

Keller describes cultural idols that have molded and driven society over the course of history. He points out that people are constantly seeking to define the “problem” with humanity and also generate a “solution” for this problem. For example, some may identify poverty and injustice as our world’s primary problems. Then, depending on who you talk to, the solution may be better education, more government funding, etc. Get it? Well, as believers, we know that there is one problem–sin–and there is one solution–Jesus. This difference means we will have awkward conversations as well as differing ideologies concerning the nuances and details of our jobs. It will effect everything.

We have to think about our work. 

The way that we work within our jobs is more important than our job itself. Our character is always a direct reflection of our hearts no matter where we find ourselves. Keller asks a series of questions that pry and provoke you to consider the very why behind your business. Is your work contributing to the common good? Or is it taking advantage of people? He tells a story about one man who owned a car dealership. This man noticed that educated white men got better deals on cars, so he threw traditional ways of selling cars out the window and set flat rates for his vehicles.When we apply theology to work, crazy things can happen. But no matter how good or bad the consequence, it is always worth it to stand firmly on the side of the One who is victorious.

Lastly, I’ll leave you with a question that struck me more than anything else in the book.

Jesus commands us to love Him & our neighbors. Thus, Keller asks, “At the end of your life, will you wish that you had plunged more of your time, passion, and skills into work environments and work products that helped people to give and receive more love? Can you see a way to answer “yes” to this question from your current career trajectory?”

(BAM. I can’t stop thinking about this…)

See ya next time! 🙂