Work Freedom - Part 1

Scripture — Philippians 2:5-7a (NRSV)

Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, assuming human likeness.

Devotion

The high Christological hymns in scripture draw us into all the nobility and splendor of the Son of God. It is difficult to read the words about even the suffering of Christ and not somehow transfer our thoughts to the nobility and character of Jesus seated on the throne. He is incredibly majestic in every way.

But Christ’s eternal existence has cosmic relevance for daily activities. He cares about where our feet trod each day. Paul told the Philippians that their good lives should be carried out with a healthy perpetual reflection on Christ’s mind. And Jesus’ disposition was one of humility.

The workplace is a litmus test of how successfully we either embrace or eschew the truth in Genesis chapters 1-3—and the rest of scripture. We either contemplate the vastness of creation made for, through, and by Jesus (Colossians 1:16). Or we objectify creation—which we were made by—and commodify and control it. We either embrace the brevity of life knowing that death comes to every person (Genesis 3:3). Or we spend our lives rushing from thing to thing. We know we are somebody (Genesis 1:27) or we spend our lives trying to be somebody.

There is a lot to think about while processing someone’s paperwork, sweeping floors, selling vacuums, or teaching calculus. Paul distilled it into one clause: think about how Jesus thinks about things. Think about his humility.

Jesus would be as equipped as every C-Suite in every office in the United States. He would be more human-centered and focused than any department of human services for any state agency. He would sweep streets as if they would become gold one day. He would be more hospitable than any call-center representative. Jesus is categorically better than anyone in any position. Yet his humility is such that his status and capability were not something he had to steal like plunder after a war. As the commentator J Lightfoot stated, “He did not ambitiously display His equality with God.” Humility resists the need to prove something.

Where we think about Jesus entrenched in our workspaces, when we see him wandering through Zoom calls, hospital halls, unemployment lines, and watching children, and we ask “What are you up to in this space God?”, our reflection should lead us to think about the humility Jesus has presently in that space. He could do it better, but he shares the space with humanity, with you. He could flaunt his power, wrath, etc. (and does) but there is mercy and grace also.

Humility grants us freedom to simply do the work for the sake of the good of us doing the work. And it frees others we work with, also.

Banner image by Humble Lamb on Unsplash.

Find all Life for Leaders devotions here. Explore what the Bible has to say about work at the unique website of our partners, the Theology of Work Project’s online commentary. Reflection on today’s Life for Leaders theme can be found here: Introduction to Philippians.

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