Rise and Build Together

The Sacred Call of Everyday Work: Building for God's Glory

There's something profoundly transformative about singing "I want more of you, God" and truly meaning it. It's not unlike praying for patience, we ask, and then God provides opportunities that require exactly what we've requested. When we genuinely ask for more of God, we're inviting Him to fill every corner of our lives, not just the comfortable, convenient spaces we've already set aside for Him.

The question isn't whether God wants to use us. The question is whether we're willing to surrender everything, not just our Sunday mornings, not just our devotional time, but our entire existence, to His purposes.

The Perspective Shift

Consider how our perspective changes over time. Young drivers race through life, seeking speed and thrills, convinced they're invincible. Older drivers preach safety and defensive driving, having learned hard lessons about vulnerability and consequence. Our perspective on work often follows a similar trajectory.

What is your perspective on your work? Does it satisfy you? Fulfill you? More importantly, does it glorify God?

We've been given different gifts, abilities, and talents. How we use them matters eternally. In our culture, we work to live, work to play, and work to support our families. But if we're not working to glorify God, we've fundamentally misunderstood our calling.

Whether you work in government, business, education, or any other field, you're there because God has placed you in that position to glorify Him. Your daily interactions with coworkers, the quality of your work, and your attitude during difficult projects all paint a picture of who Jesus is to you.

Living What We Believe

The reality is stark: how we conduct ourselves daily reveals more about our faith than any framed verse on our desk ever could. Our witness isn't a Christian bumper sticker or a cross necklace. Our witness is the excellence, integrity, and joy we bring to our work.

This is particularly challenging for young believers who face pressure to conform to workplace culture. But living differently isn't optional for followers of Jesus. It might mean not participating in gossip about the boss, declining to join in inappropriate jokes, or working diligently when others are coasting. When your work life reflects Christ, everyone around you will notice.

The Portrait of Unified Work

The book of Nehemiah provides a remarkable portrait of what godly work looks like. After months of prayer, Nehemiah received both permission and provision from the king to rebuild Jerusalem's wall. When he arrived and shared his vision with the leaders, their response was immediate and enthusiastic: "Let us rise up and build."

What follows in Nehemiah chapter 3 might seem tedious at first glance, a long list of names and places, repetitive descriptions of who built what section of the wall. But look closer, and you'll discover profound truths about how God calls His people to work.

The word "built" appears eight times in this chapter. The phrase "next to him" appears twenty-eight times. This repetition reveals something beautiful: everyone had a part to play. From the high priest to ordinary citizens, from the men of Jericho to the sons of various families, each person contributed to the greater work.

Not Equal, But Unified

Here's an important truth: while everyone had a role, not everyone had equal roles. Some rebuilt entire sections of the wall. Others simply repaired what was damaged. One person is described as working "carefully", a Hebrew word suggesting he was on fire with zeal, working hard and fast.

Then there were the nobles who "would not stoop to serve the Lord." They supervised but wouldn't get their hands dirty. Sound familiar? Every workplace has people who work with excellence and passion, and others who do the bare minimum.

But here's what matters: despite different levels of contribution, they all worked together toward a common goal. The hard workers had to exercise patience with those who moved more slowly. The slower workers had to accept encouragement (or correction) from their more diligent colleagues.

The Redemptive Nature of Our Work

The rebuilding of Jerusalem's wall wasn't just physical construction; it was redemptive work. The city lay in ruins, and its people suffered derision from surrounding nations. Rebuilding the wall restored not just physical security but dignity and identity.

Similarly, the body of Christ today has redemptive work to do in our culture. When someone says "I'm a Christian," what comes to mind? Ideally, people should think: "They follow Jesus. Their work is excellent. They're trustworthy in business. They're exceptional in relationships."

Unfortunately, that's not always the perception. There's work to be done in redeeming the reputation of Christ's followers, not through better marketing, but through genuinely excellent work done with joy and integrity for God's glory.

Your Place in the Work

God has called His people to unified, purposeful work, and He delights in labor done for His glory. Whether you're serving in a church ministry, raising children (one of the hardest jobs you'll ever do), or working in a secular job, you have a sacred calling.

Never underestimate the importance of your daily work. God has placed you exactly where you are for His purposes. It might not be your forever job. It certainly won't be perfect. But how you manage your current situation tells others about your God and Savior.

When coworkers see Jesus in you, when they observe the joy you find in your work, the integrity with which you operate, the excellence you pursue, they'll want to know this Jesus. People should be so intrigued by the joy you display that they can't help but ask about its source.

The Prayer That Changes Everything

If you're struggling in your workplace, perhaps the prayer isn't "God, get me out of here." Perhaps the prayer should be: "God, use me where You've planted me. If you want to move me, I'm willing. But if not, I'll serve You right where I am."

This is the call to rise and build, not just physical structures, but lives transformed by the gospel. Not just church programs, but excellence in every sphere of influence. Not just Sunday service, but Monday-through-Saturday faithfulness.

We all have a part to play. We're all working next to one another in God's great redemptive plan. When we all fulfill our roles for the glory of God, that's when we make an eternal impact.

The question remains: Will you work this week for His glory?

Devotional

A 5-day Bible reading plan and devotional guide based on the message Rise and Build Together.