Your Work Today Matters: It Expresses God’s Calling
Issue #421, April 22, 2026
What do you call what you do today? If you use words like “work”, “job”, “career” or “profession” you may miss the element of God’s call on your daily activity. But the word “vocation” conveys the idea of a calling and better reflects the biblical perspective. Whether you are a farmer, a plumber, a graphic designer, a computer engineer, a manufacturer, or an office worker, your work today matters because it reflects God’s calling for you. It is a sacred vocation, just as it was for two men called to build the tabernacle during the time of Moses.
30 Then Moses said to the Israelites, “See, the Lord has chosen Bezalel...., 31 and he has filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills— 32 to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, 33 to cut and set stones, to work in wood and to engage in all kinds of artistic crafts. 34 And he has given both him and Oholiab..., the ability to teach others. 35 He has filled them with skill to do all kinds of work as engravers, designers, embroiderers in blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen, and weavers—all of them skilled workers and designers (Exodus 35:30-35, NIV).
These two men were called to do the work of building and furnishing the tabernacle.
Our vocation is a response to His call.
God called these two men for the special task of building the tabernacle. “See, The Lord has chosen Bezalel...and has filled him with the Spirit of God...” This calling to work in wood, metal and stones was just as genuine as God’s calling to Moses to lead the people. There are eight distinct skills mentioned in these verses, each reflecting God’s creativity through human work. We could add a long list of the many ways God calls people to fulfill His commission to “fill the earth” introduced in the previous issue.
Some leaders see their daily work as a reflection of the choices they have made about their careers. But serving leaders see their work as a response to God’s call on their lives.
Our vocation is a reflection of His excellence.
God “filled them with skill” to do the work He called them to do. The tabernacle was to be a beautiful expression of God’s glory and He expected them to complete the work with excellence. When we view our daily work as a calling from God, we will want to do the best we can to reflect His excellence. Paul echoes this when he urges us to “work with your hands...so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders...” (1 Thessalonians 4:11-12).
Some leaders view their work as simply a way to earn an income and are not concerned about the quality of their efforts. But serving leaders seek to work with excellence because they see their work as a calling from God.
Our vocation is a response of worship to His glory
These craftsmen were “filled with the Spirit” to build a place of worship for God. Their skill and excellent work was also an act of worship! They were not just cutting wood and shaping stones, they were worshipping God through their work. When God calls us to a specific work and we do it for His glory, the work itself is an act of worship. The most mundane tasks become meaningful when they are offered as worship. Paul affirms this when he says, “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31). Some leaders work for themselves and focus on what they will gain from their efforts. But serving leaders see their work as an act of worship to God.
For further reflection and discussion:
- How clearly do I see my work as a calling from God? Do I sense that God called me to my profession? How would it impact me to refer to my work as my “vocation”?
- Is there any way that I see church leadership as more spiritual than other professions? In what way is my own work a “full time ministry” for God?
- Do I consistently do the best work I can to bring honor to God? What would I change if He showed up tomorrow where I am working?
- In what way is my daily work an act of worship? What could I do to be more aware of how my work is an offering of worship to God?
Until next time, yours on the journey,
Jon Byler
In the next issue, we’ll examine how your work reveals God’s Kingdom. |
