I wanted to re-post an article (Men, Bear the Burden Day After Day) by Pastor Peter Jones. I came across it this week and it captures my heart for men as they grow in Christ-likeness from degree to degree. It also kicked me in the tail end to make sure I’m acting like a man. I hope it annoys you and challenges much of how you view family, work, and responsibilities! Give it a read and then continue here.
Last night at community group we were discussing the current cultural shift to see idleness, entertainment, “me-time”, and even family leisure time as a right that responsibilities and work simply interfere with. The complaints of, “we didn’t get to go to the beach today”, or “I had to work a little extra so I couldn’t . . .” are often used to express the idol of comfort and leisure. Work and responsibilities were given BEFORE the fall and are part of the purpose God has given us as men. The are ways we contribute to society and lead our families. It is seeing what needs to be done then standing up and doing it!
Even in families, we forget that our children need to see us work hard and fulfill our responsibilities. Those actions communicate a work ethic that must be passed on to every generation as it does not come naturally! When my kids see me work and minister, I am passing on the truth that life is not about me, but loving God and others by contributing to God’s kingdom and the lives of those around me through work. This is absolutely essential to raising kids that are others-focused rather than self-focused. It tears at my heart when I’m leaving for work and my kids are hugging and saying, “Please don’t go to work today daddy.” But that is a phenomenal teaching moment to share why we work, how important it is and how we are called by God to serve others. Ok, my wife also asks them if they like to eat and live in a house!
Can diligence at work go to far? Absolutely! Many have made work on idol and profoundly damaged their family by neglecting them. However, this does not make work the enemy that we grudgingly do, put in as few hours as possible and then compartmentalize away from the rest of life. That too is not a biblical theology of work. (I’m reading through the Gospel at Work and look forward to reviewing it here with more ideas on a theology of work.) Work cannot be our idol, but making idleness (leisure) an idol also damages the family. Men, we need to hear the overwhelming wisdom from the generation before us that is concerned about our ability to work hard and diligently. For the sake of your kids, work hard AND spend great time with them. As Paul says in 1 Cor 16:13, “Act Like Men!”
Take a read of the post by Pastor Jones here based on Elisabeth Elliot’s book, The Mark of a Man.
Very convicting! Let’s face it – we are pretty soft! Good admonition to work first, then play. And even more, to let our kids see us and join us in our work.