Every generous act of giving, every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. In fulfillment of his own purpose he gave us birth by the word of truth, so that we would become a kind of first fruits of his creatures. &045;James 1

It&8217;s an interesting little exercise to read this Scripture while sitting in church or while walking in the wood &045; and then read it while we are at work.

That very phrase, &8220;at work,&8221; is loaded up with all kinds of meaning, because somehow we feel a different set of forces when we are &8220;at work,&8221; which can be good or bad.

For one thing, it is worth pondering that it is God who is actually the author of work. In fact, the first time we meet God in the Bible, God is at work. God creates the universe, and it is work for God, so much so that God rests on the seventh day.

God may not use the same tools that we do or get physically tired the way we do, but the effort involved in giving and then sharing life with the whole creation is clearly an act of deep self-giving.

God may not use the same tools that we do or get physically tired the way we do, but the effort involved in giving and then sharing life with the whole creation is clearly an act of deep self-giving.

We forget that our real work is to work with God, who is right there with us. Our real job is to be doing what God does, namely, bringing life to expression as life is meant to be lived.

The real work of human beings is to do the work of God, to proclaim the Good News, restore hope, end injustice, extend mercy, struggle for peace and redeem the world.

Robert Montgomery serves as preaching minister of Cahaba Valley Church