or perhaps even forget about others who are suffering around the world. The Psalms speak powerfully to this tension. In many of the Psalms, God’s people are encouraged toward more expression, not less. God invites the full weight of our grief and the full force of our hardest questions, and yet, at the same time, expects our gratitude, too. Throughout
the Psalms, in fact, God’s people openly share their sorrows and even despair. The way forward lies not in ignoring evil done to them by their enemies but in remembering the good and faithful work God has done on their behalf. Ultimately, gratitude “works,” as more and more research suggests because it is a true response of a creature to Creator. As G. K.
God deepens your soul through work Albert Camus claimed: “When work is soulless, life stifles and dies.” But how many people would say their work is soulful? Tedious, sometimes… frustrating often… but spiritually rich? Rarely. Any woman who has battled an endless pile of laundry, heavilyreceipted expense reports, or graded student papers knows the monotony that’s part of any job. Yet Scripture reminds us that we live before God in all of life (Romans 12:1). The same Spirit that moves our hearts at a worship service or convicts our conscience in prayer is at work in our work, shaping our souls through Zoom calls or performance reviews. When we recognize God’s presence in our work, our callings can become places of deep spiritual growth. Daily work, in all its forms, is one of the most powerful tools God uses to shape our souls. What are the greatest challenges you currently face at work? When are you most likely to feel shame or lose your cool? Romans 5:3-5 says: “We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.
And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.” These verses may be familiar to you as they are often used to encourage perseverance through trials, but have you stopped to consider the second half of this passage? In the midst of endless challenges, God will show you how dearly He loves you through the Holy Spirit, who has filled our hearts with His love. “If there is anywhere on earth a lover of God is always kept safe, I know nothing of it, for it was not shown to me. But this was shown; that in failing and rising again we are always kept in that same precious love.” — Julian of Norwich. This devotion is excerpted from “Experiencing God’s Purpose & Presence Through our Work,” written by Joanna Meyer, and published by the Denver Institute for Faith & Work. You can download and read the full resource at this link: https://denverinstitute. org/experiencing-gods-purposepresence-through-our-work/
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Reprinted with permission. To learn more, visit DenverInstitute.org, or @DenverInstitute on social media. 5
Chesterton has been somewhat paraphrased, “When we were children, we were grateful to those who filled our stockings at Christmas time. Why are we not grateful to God for filling our stockings with legs?” Gratitude helps us see life clearly, and allows us to live it as God intended, to its fullest.
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This article originally appeared on BreakPoint, the Colson Centre for Christian Worldview’s nationally syndicated commentary on culture. To listen to or read more of the BreakPoint commentaries, visit: https://www.breakpoint. org/breakpoint-podcasts/ John Stonestreet is president of the Colson Centre for Christian Worldview. Kasey Leander is a contributor to BreakPoint.
Volume 52, Issue 4 July August 2022 The Marketplace (ISSN 321-330) is published bi-monthly by Mennonite Economic Development Associates at 532 North Oliver Road, Newton, KS 67114. Periodicals postage paid at Newton, KS 67114. Lithographed in U.S.A. Copyright 2021 by MEDA. Editor: Mike Strathdee Design: Ray Dirks
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Cover photo of Grace Miringu by Alex Kamweru
The Marketplace July August 2022
