Women’s Work Matters in the Kingdom of God
CHELSEA PATTERSON SOBOLIK
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“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” Colossians 3:23-24 (ESV)
I was barely three months into marriage when I abruptly lost my job. Stunned and hurt, I began picking up the pieces of my professional life and patching them back together.
After my unexpected job loss, I began to seriously study what Scripture says about women and work, and I discovered some life-changing truths.
On the very first page of Scripture, we see God at work as He created the world (Genesis 1). The pinnacle of creation was humanity, as God made men and women in His own image and likeness. He commanded both Adam and Eve to subdue and exercise dominion over the earth. Work predates the fall of humanity. And since the beginning of time, women have played a vital role in the flourishing of their communities, the Church and the Kingdom of God through their work.
Genesis 3 tells us that sin entered the world and marred everything in creation, including our relationship with work. We are broken people working alongside those who hurt and betray us and within shattered systems, institutions and organizations.
But the good news is that sin, sorrow and struggle don’t have the final word. All Scripture tells the story of God’s rescuing and redeeming plan for His people through the death, burial and resurrection of His Son, Jesus.
Just as the impacts of sin are far-reaching, so is the gospel. Christ didn’t come just to secure our eternal salvation. He also came to mold us into His likeness — so we can be agents of truth, goodness and beauty in the world.
The good news of the gospel is that our work does matter. It matters because the Lord has called us to work, worship Him and love our neighbors: “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ” (Colossians 3:23-24).
God promises that nothing done for Him is ever in vain. While our seasons of life fluctuate, the roles we step into and out of change, and we navigate happiness and hardship, what doesn’t change is that each of us is valuable in the Kingdom of God.
- The gospel reminds us that we don’t need to hustle for approval or significance. In Christ we already have all we need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3).
- The gospel frees us up from solely pursuing worldly success and calls us to a life of holiness and faithfulness (1 Peter 1:14-16).
- The gospel tells us that we can rest in Christ because the greatest work has already been finished (Matthew 11:28-30).
Wherever you find yourself, I want to remind you that the Lord sees you and loves you. It might feel like you’re working in obscurity or like your work doesn’t matter. But as God’s child, you are never alone in your work. The Lord has promised never to leave or forsake you, no matter how challenging and overwhelming life feels (Hebrews 13:5).
As I was wrestling through my job loss and figuring out my next steps, this truth of God’s enduring presence gave me deep comfort. I was reminded that no matter what my professional life looked like, no matter how many accomplishments or failures I had, God was guiding my path.
And, friend? He’s guiding yours too.
Father, thank You that Jesus is redeeming and restoring all things, including my work. May I view everything in my life as an act of service and worship to You, and may I faithfully follow You all the days of my life. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
OUR FAVORITE THINGS
If you’d like to dive deeper into these topics, check out Chelsea Patterson Sobolik’s book Called to Cultivate: A Gospel Vision for Women and Work. Chelsea connects a robust theology of work with our practical, day-to-day questions. This book is for women with dreams, doubts and concerns — for all who desire to follow God's call and cultivate a world of beauty, truth and hope.
ENGAGE
Connect with Chelsea online at ChelseaPattersonSobolik.com and on Instagram at @ChelseaSobolik.
Enter to WIN your very own copy of Called to Cultivate by Chelsea Patterson Sobolik. To celebrate this book, Chelsea’s publisher will give away 5 copies! Enter to win by leaving a comment here. {We’ll randomly select 5 winners and then notify each one in the comments section by Monday, October 16, 2023.}
FOR DEEPER STUDY
Galatians 6:9, “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up” (ESV).
What are some ways the gospel changes how you approach your work? How can you regularly remind yourself that your work has deep value and significance, both for today and eternity? Share some ways in the comments.
© 2023 by Chelsea Patterson Sobolik. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
P.O. Box 3189
Matthews, NC 28106
www.Proverbs31.org
