God's Work and Me
Since joining the Fellows program, I have been able to sit and learn from so many different community leaders, professors, and scholars. Seeing each one of these men and women live out their faith throughout so many different seasons of life has been inspiring. The Fellows has given me so many different perspectives that I would never have been able to receive had I not decided to participate in the program.
One of my favorite perspectives that has shaped my view of the work and the world came as we learned about the gleaning laws from Leviticus and the book Practicing the King's Economy. Robert Holt argues in the book that these levitical laws apply to our lives today, specifically Leviticus 19: 9-10: “When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap to the very corners of your field, nor shall you gather the gleanings of your harvest." This is a law spoken to the owners of farms to let the poor and the needy gather what they need to live. Holt argues that we aren’t supposed to take all the profit for ourselves, but share with all those around us the fortunes God has given to us. We don’t need to hoard what we have and solely seek profit but use the profit to support the community around us. This seems to be the antithesis of our capitalism today, but I would argue that this way is the only way for flourishing to take place for all. Labor is a company's greatest asset, so why not do the utmost for those around you to flourish?
I always hated the idea of work, especially having to work hard for someone else’s gain. Even the idea of doing it all for myself seemed to dissatisfy me. I saw work only as a way to make a living; a way to provide shelter, food, and comfort to myself. Practicing the King’s Economy has helped me realize that work is not merely a way to survive, but a way to create with the Lord. I get to work with Jesus every day to bring about a better world for all those around me. Looking forward, I can see more clearly God’s beautiful design for work and the way it elevates the people around us.