God as Creative Creator

A mens small group I’m a part of (who are probably almost the only people who will read this) is reading a Tim Keller book called Every Good Endeavor. It’s about work… because as men that’s a big part of our identity. I’ve always felt a bit guilty about that, especially when my job switched from a ministry-like endeavor (public school teaching 2006–2015) to a job whose purpose is to make money and create new things(tech, since 2015). Chapter three though brought up a few things that were worth blogging about — that is, Good created order from chaos, and so when we create things, it is in some way fulfilling our purpose as well. I think for me I’ve always felt I had to be ‘serving’ others in my job for it to be something worthwhile of being called ministry. But this chapter helped me see that in fact, when we’re ‘building something’ sure we’re making money in a way that teaching doesn’t, but that in itself can be glorifying to God.

The chapter mentions a few interesting things that I’ve found helpful; namely that God is interested in those who create new things out of the ‘raw materials’ that have been provided; and as someone who now works in an information career and not a person-based one, I found it encouraging that that too is something that God would ‘approve’. Because the Bible talks a lot about Humans creating something new on the earth; not just procreating but creating society/something new!

Honestly this week gave me more confidence to continue my chosen career and not feeling like I need to quit and work at the homeless shelter.. and still be doing good things. I still have questions… but that’s what the rest of the book is for I guess!