Labor is not your home

Well before the pandemic and everyone’s recent work adjustments, God had graciously given me the opportunity to telecommute daily. It’s been 3 years since I have been a full-time, remote employee and I’ve learned a couple things along the way. In light of many of us changing our usual work setups to the novel work-from-home status, here are some encouraging thoughts and biblical truths that have made laboring at home easy and meaningful to me.

LABOR IS NOT YOUR HOME

The most valuable realization I had about working from home, is that work is not my home. Whether you assign a specific place as your “office” area, or a hard stop where you switch gears. Having a well defined moment or instance, where you change from work to home is important. So significant sometimes, that if you don’t draw a line early on, you might be trapped in a catch and release cycle. A place your mind is often drawn to, but not interested in from either side.

Think of our spiritual life for example. There will be one eventful moment, when we change and are carried away into a new life with Christ. As 1 Corinthians 15:50-58, the shameless inspiration for my title, reminds us of that truth. Our flesh and blood don’t belong in the kingdom of God and therefore, we will be transformed. Our work thoughts, actions, and practices do not belong in our regular lives. Just as we labor to protect our spirit for the day we are called home, we must labor to protect our home. And labor is not your home.

LABOR IS NOT IN VAIN

Just because work has been momentarily sugar-coated with the convenience of staying home or the lighter load of a slowed down society, doesn’t mean it can’t be detrimental. I know there maybe some of us standing on the extremes. To the ones who have lost their jobs completely, my prayers. To those whose business is thriving, listen closely. 

As Christians, we must often remind ourselves that the success of our harvest is not directly related to the amount of work we put into it, unless the Lord produces growth.

Unless the Lord builds the house,
     those who build it labor in vain.
Unless the Lord watches over the city,
     the watchman stays awake in vain. (Psalm 127:1)

Working from home, may as well be a reminder to trust the Lord even deeper. To let go of that which calls us daily away from the things we love for the sake of serving them. The responsibility to give our best and see God’s will, pressed against the fine line to work hard at our fingertips doesn’t make it easy. How many of us will put in a couple more hours just because we are there? How many of us will give up on a family meal to catch up on a project? If you’re a parent, how many family hangouts will you skip, because “you’re stuck at work”? This might be an opportunity to continue to carry on your efforts and be satisfied. To rejoice in the gift of home when work is not too far away.

GOD SUSTAINS YOUR LABOR

Like I said before, it can be easy to fall for the frustrating feeling of “I am at work all the time or I’m not at work at all”. An over productive day that keeps you away from life, or a barren grind overwhelmed by life. In any instance, you must stop and reflect on the blessings of God. Sabbath is not just a weekend thing or a special holiday. Sabbath is a symbol of trust, that we have toiled and looked over what we have done and how it’s good. Most importantly, to rest in the faith that the Lord will bless our labor.

I call out to the LORD, and he
answers me from his holy mountain.
I lie down and sleep; I wake again,
because the LORD sustains me.  (Psalm 3:4-5)

As you work through these difficult times. Continue to call out to the Lord. Do not skip your daily devotion. Seek his face above anything else. Do not rush into labor, but delight in the sweet moment of grace given to you to experience a fuller relationship with the Lord. You will sleep and you will wake because the Lord sustains you.

TIME WASTES NOT LABOR

All these said, time management is the real name of the game. Time is much an infinite measure as it is terminal. Before it was a concept, we couldn’t grasp it but it was still there. God created time for us, not against us. But when we are fervently working at the ease of our own pace, time may fly by and we might miss something.

There is time for everything, wrote the author of Ecclesiastes. He detailed many human activities but he didn’t diminish work. Instead, he expanded on it.

What do workers gain from their toil? I have seen the burden God has laid on the human race. He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God. I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that people will fear him. (Ecc 3:9-14)

I’m writing this on Good Friday, and what a hopeful reminder that “IT IS FINISHED!” At the perfect time, Jesus’ labor on earth came to an end. Not an ultimate end, but one that set a new beginning. Certainly, our workdays must come to an end or pause, for a good reason. One I can think of immediately - to establish our soul in eternal satisfaction. (Mat 6:19-21)

I’m sure each of you knows your work better than I do. I believe in the spiritual maturity that comes through prayer. And I believe in the holy discernment to balance time between work and home. I also know times are uncertain and external factors add pressure. But one thing is certain and will not change. Our relationship with Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith. His sacrifice says, “well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!”

It’s a dire season to stay vigilant of this. To guard with jealousy our pure joy as we push onward. Let labor in your home, but do not settle for it. Work hard, play hard. Rejoice in the fruit of your toil, both in good measure. Remember, labor is not your home, heaven is.