In 2009 Lloyd Blankfein, Chairman and CEO of Goldman Sachs said during an interview with the Financial Times that he was doing “God’s work”. The backlash within the media was instantaneous and unrelenting. Surely such a capitalist pig couldn’t really believe, doesn’t really think, didn’t really say he’s doing God’s work. The audacity of the man! Interestingly, I am unaware of a single Christian that defended Mr. Blankfein.
I have struggled with what I at times have perceived to be God calling me into ordained ministry for about eight years now. During that time my conviction about that call has waxed and waned and with it, my enthusiasm for my work has varied in indirect proportion; not my church work, but my capitalist pig work. I think, “If God has called me to ordained ministry then I am wasting both His time and mine continuing in this job. If this is what He wants, why doesn’t He straighten my path away from this place?” I have lived as if one is God’s work and the other one isn’t.
Brother Lawrence tells us that, “the time of business does not with me differ from the time of prayer; and in the noise and clatter of my kitchen, while several persons are at the same time calling for different things, I possess God in as great tranquility as if I were upon my knees at the blessed sacrament.”
If Brother Lawrence’s experience is available to all of us, then all work can be God’s work. All work should be God’s work. The question that is ringing in my ears is, if at all times I’m not doing God’s work, then whose work am I doing?
Lord, please give me a humble spirit, a simple life, and a loving heart.
In Christ.
Matt