I

t’s just another manic Monday

I wish it was Sunday

‘Cause that’s my fun day

My I don’t have to run day

It’s just another manic Monday.

– Manic Monday, The Bangles

If you are familiar with this song, you know one of the reasons that Monday is manic is because the main character has “to be at work by nine” on Mondays, unlike the relaxing, fun-day Sunday. The song implies work is something of a Monday to Friday drudgery that is salvaged by the fun of the weekend. This is a common perspective. In fact, according to a 2011 Deloitte survey, 80% of people are dissatisfied with their jobs. It seems as if nearly everyone is trudging along through the workweek until they can say “TGIF” (Thank God It’s Friday), signaling that they have made it to the weekend!

Genesis 2:15 says, “The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it.” (ESV) 

In contrast to the “work-as-drudgery” theme, the Bible actually describes work very differently, revealing that work was part of God’s original plan for us as it preceded the fall of human beings into sin, which is described in Genesis 3. This means that work is not our punishment, even those manic Mondays. Toil, the word we often associate with work after the “Fall,” simply means that work now has hardship and pain associated with it because of Adam and Eve’s sin, but work is also God’s purpose for us. We were made for work! So yes, you are likely to experience lots of “toil” when you work, but work can also be a great opportunity to develop and use your gifts and talents to serve others and glorify God. Rather than work as drudgery, this is work as worship!

One of the finest definitions of work that I have found says, “Work is the expenditure of energy (manual or mental or both) in the service of others, which brings fulfillment to the worker, benefit to the community, and glory to God.”¹ I think most people in Christian ministry or in the helping professions — physicians, nurses, teachers, etc. — see their work as ministry. Unfortunately, those whose work is considered “secular” or “business” often see their work as something done to make a living, and then they try to find additional time to do “real” ministry. But what if we changed our perspective and started viewing all work — both paid and unpaid — as a ministry? In this new mindset, work is a way to serve others, such as our co-workers and customers, benefit the community through our products and services, and glorify God through offering our work as worship.

“Work is the expenditure of energy (manual or mental or both) in the service of others, which brings fulfillment to the worker, benefit to the community, and glory to God.”

Colossians 3:17 says, “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (NIV)

I think work is one of the things Paul had in mind in the text above for the Colossians. If you offer your work as worship to the Lord and are thankful for the vocation in which you are employed, this is likely to transform the way you work. Instead of rolling out of bed into another “manic Monday,” rise and shine your light. Your work is your ministry! 

¹ John R. W. Stott, Decisive Issues Facing Christians Today (Fleming Revell: Grand Rapids, MI), 162.

Helpful Resources

Andy Crouch. Culture Making: Recovering Our Creative Calling.

Rather than condemning culture, Crouch calls on culturally creative Christians to engage contemporary society with their gifts and faith.

Timothy Keller. Every Good Endeavor: Connecting Your Work to God’s Work.

This book helps you carry your faith from church to your workplace.

Timothy Keller. Every Good Endeavor: Connecting Your Work to God’s Work

This is a 38-minute podcast.