(This post does not contain affiliate links.)
How to reorient our lives toward God?
“What does it profit, my brethren, if a man says he has faith but has no works?”
James 2:14-17
What can we do as laypeople to reorient our lives toward God? We attend Sunday Mass, maybe even Daily Mass, participate in the Sacraments, and support the Church and our parish.
Pray the Holy Rosary, read or listen to the daily Gospel, or meditate on verses from Scripture. We might keep a prayer journal or join a Bible Study at our parish or online.
We can do all these things every day, or sprinkle them throughout the week. Indeed, setting time apart to be in the presence of God is a cornerstone of the Christian way of life.
But God wants to be present in the fullness of our lives. And that includes the small moments, the simple tasks we do at home or outside the house, such as repetitive chores or errands.
Our ordinary work life is not separate from our faith life.
As everyday disciples, we strive to sanctify our work as an offering and sacrifice, through prayer and thanksgiving, and as a means of training to develop the cardinal and theological virtues necessary for living holy lives.
“Whatever your task, work heartily, as serving the Lord and not men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward; you are serving the Lord Christ.”
Colossians 3:23-24
Sanctifying Work as an Offering
The LORD is not asking for great deeds. But He is asking for our first fruits. In our ordinary daily lives, there’s much we can do to please God, not so much by what we do but how.
When we see work as an offering, we take our ego and pride out of the equation. We are, in fact, accomplishing the tasks by putting to good use the skills (talents and gifts) that God gave us.
And we are fulfilling the purpose He created us for, serving Him, when we serve our spouse, children, parents, siblings, families, friends, neighbors, colleagues, and communities.
Work gains a deeper and more meaningful significance when we offer it up to God. Let it be more than a means to an end but an end in itself. There’s joy and spiritual gain to be found in work.
“The LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to till it and keep it.”
Genesis 2:15
Sanctifying Work as a Prayer
If you can’t seem to find the time or gather the energy or focus to pray, transform your work into a time of prayer.
Say a prayer to start your workday. Bathroom break or difficult call ahead? Say a short prayer, or read a verse from a Psalm. (Keep your daily or weekly Psalm visible on your desk or workspace)
When working at home, cultivate a prayerful state of mind while doing tasks such as doing the dishes, folding laundry, cleaning the kitchen, tidying up the living room, making the bed, and brushing your teeth.
Keep God present in your day and in your work. Ask for guidance and support. Prayer is not a distraction; it’s an intentional connection to the One through whom everything is possible.
“Commit your work to the LORD, and your plans will be established.”
Proverbs 16:3
Sanctifying Work as Training
We are on this earthly pilgrimage to develop virtues that will help us grow in holiness. Work, mindless tasks, and time-consuming errands are all opportunities to train ourselves for holiness.
Let’s infuse our daily work with a higher purpose.
The reality is that repetitive tasks, challenging conversations, disagreements, as well as opportunities to serve, show kindness, and inspire and lead others, are all woven through the fabric of ordinary work life.
Set the intention to practice one Cardinal or Theological virtue every day, and ask the Holy Spirit to give you the graces you need to persevere.
Cardinal Virtues: Prudence, Justice, Fortitude, Temperance.
- Prudence: making good judgments.
- Justice: giving what’s owed.
- Fortitude: exercising patience and courage.
- Temperance: doing things in moderation, properly using things.
Theological Virtues: Faith, Hope, Charity (Love).
Every day, every task becomes an opportunity to train in The Way of the Lord, the way to be a disciple of Christ.
“A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully taught will be like his teacher.”
Luke 6:40
Sanctifying Work as Our Cross
Finally, let’s take our work as our cross in the same way as Jesus took the Cross of our sins, with great courage and great love.
We might not (always) be able to choose our daily crosses, but we can pick them up and carry them with joy and for love of God and our fellow sojourners on this earthly pilgrimage.
When the work is our cross, united to the sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross, it has redemptive power. It’s our way of saying yes to God’s Will, and to the purpose He has for our lives.
May the work of our hands be the fruit of our faith.
If you like to ponder these subjects, join us as we tend and grow these humble mustard seeds. We hope you’ll be inspired to sow your own. Come back weekly, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and X.
Leave a Reply