Paul had a clear understanding that our bodies are the temple of Christ. "Know ye not," he wrote, "that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?" (1 Cor. 3:16) "And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people." (2 Cor. 6:16)
Paul also spoke of our bodies as a covering that will one day be removed. "For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. ... For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life." (2 Cor. 5:1, 4)
Why did Paul have such insight into the principle that we who belong to Christ are His dwelling-place? Paul was a tentmaker (Acts 19:1-3). Of what do you suppose Paul thought while he worked at his livelihood? That he was wasting precious hours that could better spent preaching the Gospel in Asia? That surely God would provide if he stepped out in faith and spent all his time discussing Scripture with the Jews instead of making tents?
I suspect that Paul meditated on Jesus while he worked. And as the two spent precious hours together, Paul could not help but learn from the Master Teacher how Jesus built His tents.
Jesus was a carpenter (if He followed the same trade as His earthly father). He looked at Solomon's magnificent temple in Jerusalem and told the Jews, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up." (Jn. 2:19-21) "But he spake of the temple of his body." Jesus did raise up the temple in three days. And He is still very interested in the welfare of that temple, His worldwide Body (Rom. 12:5, Col. 1:18).
Paul also spoke of our bodies as a covering that will one day be removed. "For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. ... For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life." (2 Cor. 5:1, 4)
Why did Paul have such insight into the principle that we who belong to Christ are His dwelling-place? Paul was a tentmaker (Acts 19:1-3). Of what do you suppose Paul thought while he worked at his livelihood? That he was wasting precious hours that could better spent preaching the Gospel in Asia? That surely God would provide if he stepped out in faith and spent all his time discussing Scripture with the Jews instead of making tents?
I suspect that Paul meditated on Jesus while he worked. And as the two spent precious hours together, Paul could not help but learn from the Master Teacher how Jesus built His tents.
Jesus was a carpenter (if He followed the same trade as His earthly father). He looked at Solomon's magnificent temple in Jerusalem and told the Jews, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up." (Jn. 2:19-21) "But he spake of the temple of his body." Jesus did raise up the temple in three days. And He is still very interested in the welfare of that temple, His worldwide Body (Rom. 12:5, Col. 1:18).
David was a shepherd, even after he had been anointed king. He did not despise the lowly work entrusted to him. Rather, he used it as his credentials when applying for kingdom work: "And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father's sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock: And I went after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him. ... The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine." (1 Sam. 17:34-37a)
Peter was a fisherman. He became a bold fisher of men (Mat. 4:18-20).
The centurion who asked Jesus to heal his servant understood Christ's authority because of his authority in the Roman army (Mat. 8:5-10).
Vocations need not be a distraction from kingdom work, a sort of "necessary evil" that we bear. Our livelihoods can be beautiful testimonies of God's work in every area.
We may not notice, but we employ this technique all the time. Fathers have a special insight into the fatherhood of God. Athletics are often compared to our spiritual race (Heb. 12:1-2). But we need not stop there.
Even something as insignificant as taking out the trash can become an opportunity to praise God that He is purging me of my "old self" (see Eph. 4:22-24, Col. 3:9-10).
As I learn new skills in grammar through college, I find myself noting the important role grammar plays in Scripture. As I practice reporting skills, I try to apply the same principles to my time with God. What is the main focus? How does everything else point to that? If the interviewee [or Scripture] says that, what follow-up question can I ask to uncover more information? How does music reflect the very nature of God? (That is another whole post in itself...)
Work is a good thing (in its proper place.) Whether your work is at home, at an office, or at school, invite God into every aspect of your life. I guarantee, He does not waste one moment. "And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him." (Col. 3:17)
