Why I Labor | Part 1

This past Labor Day certainly has had a new feel to it. Now in a new city with no family or friends, I’m missing out on end-of-summer events, backyard barbecues, and NCAA football (no, our family still does not have a TV, of our own accord 😅). However, what that offers me is a brief moment to write and reflect on why I labor and a bit of the vision behind Reformed Work.

Here's a look at what's up ahead:

• A Christian Labor Movement?

• What does activism look like in this movement?

• What about my career aspirations and ambitions?

• Part 2 of ‘Why I Labor’

A Christian Labor Movement?

Poking around the internet, I dug up some quick facts on the origins of Labor Day. It became a federal holiday in 1894, where ‘unions in the U.S. were largely contested and courts would often rule strikes illegal, leading to violent disputes’. Todd Vachon, an assistant professor in the Rutgers School of Management and Labor Relations, continues as he draw parallels from this grassroots labor activism of the past to the present day:

How should we respond to shrinking pockets, economic turmoil, or lower quality of life? What is the Christian’s relationship with the American Dream?

In "Don't Hold Back: Leaving Behind the American Gospel to Follow Jesus Fully," David Platt critiques the blending of American cultural values with Christianity, a phenomenon he calls American syncretism. Specifically, the pursuit of the American Dream—focused on comfort, success, and self-reliance—often contradicts the radical call of the gospel. Whether unionized or not, public or private sector, our labor as followers of Christ must be radically different than that of the culture, embracing sacrifice, service, and submission to the authorities that God has placed over us (1 Pet 2:13-14; Rom 13:1-2). This doesn’t preclude you advocating for your career, but it does emphasize doing good in the midst of an unsavory workplace or even unjust management (1 Peter 2:15,19-21).

I remember a time earlier in my career where I did just the exact opposite. I was put in charge of a ‘Tiger Team’, then several months later was summarily replaced by someone more senior to lead this internal project. I abruptly jumped off the Zoom transition call out of seething frustration when the new leader started to talk through processes/systems that were already well-documented (by me). This was not a good gospel witness.

What does activism look like in this movement?

You don’t get a lot of brownie points telling others to ‘endure sorrow while suffering unjustly’ as Paul does (1 Peter 2:19). Similar to how Jesus stated that ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you.. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him.’ (John 6:53, 55-56). But that’s just the point, isn’t it? We didn’t die to self and surrender ourselves to the Lordship of Christ to climb the corporate ladder or gain favor in the workplace. Instead, we ‘count it all joy..when [we] meet trials of various kinds, for [we] know that the testing of [our] faith produces steadfastness’ (James 1:2-3). Our primary submission to Christ allows us to respond in grace and with a peace that can calm any level of labor unrest.

What if loving others well and doing good work amidst workplace pressure is the clearest picture of Jesus your coworkers will see?

Just as in our broader journey of discipleship, integrating our faith and work certainly comes at a cost. Maybe it’s sacrificing corporate advancement, or maybe it’s more subtle than that and requires a chipping-away at layers of your career-driven identity. In both cases, having a Reformed work mindset means that you enter the workplace prepared and willing to face injustices..for this is what you and I are called to:

'But if when you do what is right and patiently bear [undeserved] suffering, this finds favor with God. For [as a believer] you have been called for this purpose, since Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you may follow in His footsteps.’ (1 Peter 2:20-21 AMP).

What about my career aspirations and ambitions?

DON’T WORRY! Trust me, I’m certainly not anti-industrious or against career achievement and success. I in large part gravitated to the theology of work precisely because I felt God’s call to make an outsized impact in work that aligned with my giftings. I want to create an outlet for career-driven Christians who, like I once did, feel stuck in their current role and aspire to something greater. In a future post, we’ll be diving deeper into some of John Piper’s comments made at CROSS CON 24 and explore similar questions such as:

• What then is the proper, Christlike response to burnout?

• How can I tell if my career desires are of the flesh and not the Spirit?

• Doesn’t God not care about my specific job, but rather just that I’m faithful in whatever job I take?

• What is the intersection of God’s providence and our freewill in charting our vocational path?

Part 2 of ‘Why I Labor’

Since this post only got the opportunity to cover the counterpoint and response to the American Dream/prosperity thesis, we’ll dedicate Part 2 (likely 3 as well) to the biblical doctrine of work as God intended- His unique design for mankind to image Him in all domains. The call to work with excellence is woven deep into the fabric of our being, and it’s my prayer you will look to harness your talents and opportunities to glorify Him wherever you find yourself laboring today.

May the favor of the Lord our God be upon you, to establish the work of your hands,

Trent