In finding a sense of fulfillment and purpose, is it possible that somewhere along the way, we placed work at a level it was never meant to be on, changing the standard of what is successful and focusing our efforts on growth and improvement, never capable of saying we have enough?
While it’s easy to use these statistics to criticize the United States as fundamentally broken or backwards, it’s worth taking the time to pick apart the assumptions at play for why the U.S. has not created a statutory entitlement to some type of paid leave.
How could I do my work in a way that would make a difference about the problems rampant in the world? What sorts of work would be worth doing?
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I love being busy, and I need frequent reminders to rest. I’m not the right person to write advice about how to rest well! What I can do, though, is to reflect on the gift of rest--a gift that I have received through others’ generosity and ministry.
I think we’ve done a lot, especially in the broader Reformed tradition, to emphasize the importance of a theology of work. Perhaps it is time now to focus a little more on a theology of play.
How we are called to do our best, our utmost best, at all times. To interpret the ways God is calling us to act, the things God is calling us to use and to make, and through it all, with thoughtfulness and care and love, to work hard for God, for our communities, for ourselves, and really for the whole of creation.
