1. Work doesn’t define my worth.
2. But I am hardwired to work.
The reality that God loves his children in the most relationally creative ways is visible in the power of how deeply intertwined and perfectly timed this conversation with Ashley was and the revelation it unlocked. Seriously. I read the book in one sitting.
I don’t want to give too much away (go read it!) but John Mark ties our innate desire to work back to the story of creation and the identity of a working God. “In Genesis’s vision of humanness, we don’t work to live; we live to work. It flat out says we were created to rule— to make something of God’s world” (Loc 189). He argued that God worked, and God rested, and laid out his plan for us to do the same. He dissects the language of Genesis and identifies correlations in ways I never previously considered.
It’s important to note that I’m not saying God created me to work a corporate job… John Mark is sure to acknowledge that work is whatever “you fill your schedule with and give your heart to” (Loc 216)— this could be true of stay at home mothers, volunteers, artists, you name it. But the overall premise of the book is that this work helps prepare for what is to come, the "Garden-like city" of New Jerusalem as foretold in Revelation. “Because for followers of Jesus, Eden is where we come from, and it’s also where we’re going" (Loc 1754). So what does this mean for our calling to work on this earth?: “We’re called to a very specific kind of work. To make a Garden-like world where image bearers can flourish and thrive, where people can experience and enjoy God’s generous love… After all, we’re just supposed to continue what God started in the beginning….the Garden was dynamic, not static. Put another way, creation was a project, not a product. The Garden was designed to go somewhere” (Loc 531). We were designed to go somewhere, to work towards something. It doesn't have to be a ministry-based job for you to work for the kingdom, just commit what you do to the glory of God (1 Cor. 10:31).
*Citations based on Kindle location numbers from Garden City by John Mark Comer. I bought it on Amazon for Kindle, but you can buy a hard copy on Barnes and Noble before it sells out.
3. You have a choice: get discouraged or get motivated.
4. The importance of a support system.
5. Pride won't get you anywhere, but confidence will.
6. How to make the most of interviews.
7. Not to put so much pressure on myself.
8. Where to place my trust.