How many stories
or words of wisdom regarding work have been written? There are accounts which
emphasize work and there are those that speak otherwise. So, which is the best
path to follow? In the Bible, there are a few passages which demonstrate these
varying perspectives on the subject.
Perhaps the most
referenced passage women look to for guidance is Proverbs 31. This passage
describes the characteristics of a “noble” or “ideal” woman. Verse after verse
tells of her extensive activities. Simply reading over the listing is
exhausting! I immediately feel
inadequate for reaching this level of work. Is this woman ever lacking or
restful? It’s like she’s not human! And that’s because she isn’t and actually
never was.
While valuable in
its wisdom, Proverbs 31 was not a command to Christians. In fact, it was an
oracle from King Lemuel’s mother. In other words, it’s her opinion. Let’s
imagine for a moment that a group of women with sons were gathered together and
asked what they would wish in a wife for their sons. The result would be a
different set of characteristics from each woman. These qualities would be in
part based on her personality and experiences as well as her ideal for life.
Again, varying opinions on what constitutes “noble” or “ideal” womanhood.
I find that the “proverbs 31 woman” is not
the one deserving of my idealization because very quickly it can become
idolization of an unworthy entity. The Proverbs 31 woman was not the one who
said, “Come and follow me.” As a Christian, I’m a follower of Christ first and
foremost. Does He require me to mold into this one set of standards in order
for me to become an ideal woman? Or, does he have an ideal that is unique to
his creation? By looking to and following Christ, He grows me to become the
ideal version of myself for the purpose of serving and glorifying Him in my own
unique way.
The account of
the Proverbs 31 woman seems to emphasize constant hard work. Another passage in
the Bible seems to suggest the converse. Ecclesiastes 2 can be summed up in one
word- “meaningless.” Indeed, work in this passage is deemed “meaningless” and a
“chasing after the wind.” The author (probably King Solomon) considers the
lingering effect his work would have depending on the wisdom or foolishness of
the inheritor. A foolish individual could waste away the progress made, and
render the previous work futile. Thus, work is labeled as meaningless. Yet, one
must work in life to some degree. King Solomon then provides a solution of
satisfaction. In verse 24 and 25 he says, “a man can do nothing better than eat
and drink and be satisfied in his work. This too, I see, is from the hand of
God, 25 for without him, who can eat or find enjoyment?” He continues by saying, “To the man who
pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness, but to the sinner he
gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth to hand it over to the one
who pleases God. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind (vs. 26).” I
understand this message to mean to find satisfaction in God’s provision, and to
strive after anymore than that is …well, meaningless. Work hard and be content
with what is provided.
Finally, the
story of Mary and Martha is perhaps one of the greatest perspectives on work.
Luke 10:38-42 records the account:
38“As Jesus and his
disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named
Martha opened her home to him. 39She
had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said.
40But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be
made. She came to him and asked, ‘Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left
me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!’
41‘Martha, Martha,’ the
Lord answered, ‘you are worried and upset about many things 42but
only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be
taken away from her.’ “
Initially, my
response is to join Martha in a cry of unfairness. There is a greater message
here though, has nothing to do with fairness. It has everything to do with the
focus of the heart. Martha is described as being “distracted by” and not “busy
with” all the preparations. The wording seems to suggest that her attention
should be elsewhere as well. In Jesus’ response, he says that Mary had chosen
something “better.” It would seem that Martha is doing plenty, and yet, she
apparently is still lacking in some regard. In consideration of how many
preparations she was likely handling, how could she possibly be expected to do
more?
The difference
may lie in the classic want-versus-need balance. Jesus says, “one thing is needed” (emphasis mine). I can easily
relate to this idea. How often does my “To Do” list grow unnecessarily to the
point of distracting me from greater places for my attention? What I want to
accomplish may not necessarily be what I need to do. Furthermore, Jesus isn’t
asking for her to do more for Him in regard to her work. The relationship Jesus
offers is less about work and more about the heart. While Martha’s efforts were
noble, she missed Jesus’ presence. How often do I rush through the day to check
off my to-do list and miss God’s presence in my life? This may mean skipping
quiet time but God isn’t present just in my designated devotional time. He’s
also present in the ordinary moments such as meal preparations.
In conclusion,
work in life is a matter of balance. This balance isn’t a fixation on one set
of ideal set of standards. It is a satisfaction in God’s provision. It’s also attentiveness
and focus set in the proper places. To attempt to work 24/7 or measure up to
one set of ideal standards will only lead to exhaustion, frustration, and
discouragement. It’s okay to not feel like you need to be Wonder Woman or save
the world all the time. Even God rested after six days of work! God’s love and
presence isn’t going to decrease (and neither should your husband’s).
With this said, we’re
always working towards something. The job, however, may look different than our
presumptions of what constitutes as work. For instance, relationships are
always in a state of work. My effort towards my relationships may not
necessarily be something I do for someone but the attention I give him/her.
When my husband and I are together, we strive to put aside our individual
pursuits or work to focus on each other. Our relationship has grown
tremendously because we never stopped putting work into it. I can only imagine
the message I’d be sending if I disregarded my husband’s presence after his day
at work in order to focus on my work or housework. If you have children, then
consider the message that is sent when you repetitively say, “Go play. I’m
busy.” What about when the home is opened in hospitality. My guests and I would
miss out on our relationship if I were to exclude myself to wash dishes or
other cleanup work. Those tasks are distracters that can wait until the guests
leave. There is plenty of work to be
done without pressure or guilt for not saving the world or working 24/7!
Sometimes the greatest work is simply surrendering our hearts and attention.
Additional Reading:
Linked up at: What Joy Is Mine, Modest Mom, The Better Mom, A Mama's Story, The Alabaster Jar, Time-Warp Wife, Heavenly Homemakers, Growing Home, Far Above Rubies, A Proverbs 31 Wife, Women Living Well, A Wise Woman Builds Her Home, Deep Roots At Home, Raising Homemakers, We Are THAT Family
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. This perspective has been influential in accepting less than ideal circumstances and being open to whatever God has in mind to be gained from them. It's something that I'm don't do all to well and am in need of reminding often, but I'm grateful for those reminders as well. 
by Emmerson Eggerichs 
by Jerry Jones {A few of the questions in the video came from this book}
