Called to More: Three Shifts to Keep a Christian Perspective on Our Work

A few summers ago, we took our toddler son to Washington, DC–a place filled with memories of the first years of our marriage and my work on “the Hill” as a communications staffer in the House of Representatives. We were so excited to share with him some of our favorite parts of the city, including the impressive dome building where I used to work.

Of course, he was three, and well, unimpressed. It was hot and humid, and we had dragged him to places that were nostalgic for us, but meaningless to him. He just wanted the promised ice cream and air conditioning.

After visiting a few Smithsonians with much better success, I decided to give it one more try. As we drove down Pennsylvania Ave and out of the city, I pointed out all the important, stately government buildings— including the House Office Buildings where I spent so much time— and reminded him I used to work there, doing important things with important people.

To which he replied, “And now mom works with dad.” I had to laugh, because as a current stay-at-home, sometimes work-from-home mom, his observation was spot on.

But I also felt a twinge of regret. All my professional accomplishments for 15 years in federal and state government, for non profits and PR clients, are now buried under loads of laundry, dishes and Legos. This life is what my children see and will remember of me. It is a good life, and I would trade it for no other. Yet his comment bothered me because it made me feel small and inconsequential in the larger world.

Recognition, compensation, personal satisfaction— I want them, we all do. And they are not, in themselves, bad things to desire from our work. But as my daily life transitioned from big and important to unseen and unimpressive, I’ve had to grapple with how easy it is to idolize the upwardly mobile career path and find my worth and significance in the ability to achieve it.

Colossians 3 reminds us of a better way: “Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” There can be no such thing as unimportant work because in Christ, our lives are imbued with God-glorifying meaning and purpose.

But whether work takes us to the limestone halls of Congress or elbow deep in the dirty bottles in the kitchen sink, this perspective can be difficult to live out day-to-day. Here are three correctives to keep our hearts focused on the glory of God in the work of our hands.

Role vs Identity

“So, what do you do?” The ubiquitous question of every first interaction. There are times when I’ve had a very impressive answer to that question— the kind that made people sit up and pay attention. And, it felt good. But now, every time I check LinkedIn, it sends me spinning into an identity crisis. People I used to work with (or who used to work for me) have now far surpassed me with impressive jobs and titles.

The process of going from big and important, to small and unnoticed has been painful but also, a needed, and ongoing, surrendering of all the ways I try to build my own worth and worthiness. Instead, I returned to my truest identity, and one better than a job title— called, justified, and glorified through Jesus (Romans 8:30).

What does that look like today, in the daily grind? “For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory” (Colossians 3:3-4). In this context, “hidden” means safe, secure. As believers here is our reality: our life, our true identity, is safe in Christ right now, and also, we look forward to the day we will be with Him—in glory! With that perspective, we are no longer subject to the roller coaster of professional striving and comparison. Instead, our hearts are settled and safe in Jesus, so we can joyfully and generously spend our lives, our time, and our talents.

Career vs Calling

My first real job was an entry level position where I spent all day answering phone calls and emails—angry ones. It was wearying work for little pay. I started to doubt every decision I had made up until that point.

But in that first, oftentimes thankless job, I needed humility, patience, graciousness—the same characteristics we see in Christ Himself. Work that feels unseen or unimpressive is actually an opportunity to be formed more like my Savior and in turn, reflect Him to others in tangible ways. Isn’t that just like the gospel? How often God uses the lowly, “foolish” things to confound the wise (1 Corinthians 1:27)!

God’s first call for us is to Himself and to His purpose, which is to become more like His Son (Romans 8:28-29). So while our career may morph or change, our kids will likely grow up and move out, and the direction of our lives ebb and flow, our calling to Christ and to follow Him is the guiding constant we pursue in everything.

Accomplishment vs Faithfulness

No matter our work or role, we want our labor to bear fruit. And yet— we know the world is broken, and so are we. So there are hopes and dreams we may never see through to fruition. Or we may try our best, do everything right, and still experience failure. In fact, that is guaranteed. What then can we possibly hold on to, when the days are long and the pay-off small or nonexistent?

Jesus upends our perspective on how we measure success or significance. In the parable of the talents, we hear these precious words: “Well, done, my good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21). We may be tempted to compare which servant got the biggest investment or return, but notice this: the master commends the servants’ faithfulness over small things, and the reward is an invitation to share in the master’s joy!

We need God to align our hearts so that we most value what He values and treasure His delight as our reward. Because, ultimately, by what justification do we stand before God at all? Not on our record, but on the perfect, righteousness of another, His Son. This is the reality that shapes all else—we serve Jesus with the work of our hands out of a worshipful response to His love for us. And we are secure in our standing because of His sacrifice, not the list of accomplishments behind our name.

With His glory, not ours, as our goal, we approach work with joyful obedience. We wake up tomorrow and do the work He has put before us— be it doing the dishes or writing the nation’s laws. And even as we walk through different roles or career changes, setbacks or successes, we keep looking to Jesus, knowing as a result, we will be transformed into His image, “from one degree of glory to another (2 Corinthians 3:18).” And there is nothing small about that kind of life.