One thing I am certain of is this: in the creation epic, God worked.
Perhaps not literally in the dirty hands, aching back way that we think of work, but certainly in the way of the creative, beautiful, intentional application of energy. The management of order in a violent universe. And ultimately the artistic balancing of what the ancient Egyptians called the ma’at and isfet (harmony and chaos).
For this work, I am thankful. For the simple way trees balance the carbons in the air we breathe, I am thankful. For the way warm spring days soon make us forget torrid winter nights, I am thankful. For the molecular and the magnanimous, even for the simplest things, such as how sunrise signals nap time for us night owls, I give thanks. Lord knows something has to make me shut down my laptop and cease binging on Frosted Flakes.
But, from my earliest readings of Colossians 3:23, I’ve pondered a few simple questions. The first being: If we are to work as if working unto God, who did God work “unto”?
My first work supervisor was my father, “the governor.” He had an awesome lawn: the whole one-tenth of an acre. His landscaping was a thing of beauty. Pure rhythm in motion. He poured his life into our little home. I had an example.
If we are to adhere to the Colossian expectation that we work ek psyches (with all our soul), is there an example of how this ethic shows up in God’s work? Actually, there is.
According to the imagination of the Genesis writer, at each creation phase, God saw that it was good! However, raah (the word translated to “saw”) bears a richer definition. God investigated the work.
No firmament-ware release notes were created before this self-imposed detailed investigation was done. I can only imagine the interrogation preceding the press release on the human heart!
Before Six Sigma, Lean, Agile and other process improvement systems, God instituted the first quality control standard. Specifically, critique your own work.
My third grade teacher was famously self-exalting. She once told our PTA: “I would get me to teach my own children. I wouldn’t let some of these other teachers train my puppy.” (She actually won state and national teacher recognitions!)
Would you hire you? Would you allow your friends and family to be served by you? Would you ask your children to donate, spend or keep their money with your institution?
My second critical question came from within my childhood church. We had two stellar choirs. Several of us sang and played with national artists. There were nutrition and rest requirements. We regularly rehearsed three days a week. I often wondered: “Do these people apply the same level of preparation for their ‘day jobs’? If not, why not?”
Many of us have high standards for the work we do in our church, but not for our employers. From whence did we derive this dichotomy? Do we believe that God resides in the church, but not in our cubicles? Does omnipotence cease at the church door or at the edge of the church property?
Finally, it is important to note how the creation story introduces rest. The seventh day, the day God rested, was the only day that was blessed. Vacations and time with family and friends are critical for refueling and for the renewal of energy. If God rested, what makes us think it should be such a low priority? Read the story again; God gave God PTO!
Speaking of which — I need to go rinse this Frosted Flakes bowl and prepare for bed. It’s midnight and I have a meeting at 9:00 a.m. I need a few minutes in the gym to balance this cereal binging. I want to be crisp as if I am meeting with God.
CARLTON JOHNSON is the operations officer for Johnson C. Smith Theological Seminary in Atlanta and associate minister at the First Afrikan Presbyterian Church in Lithonia, Georgia. He also serves as president of the Atlanta chapter of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History.
