When people think of work, typically they would rather think about the end of work. When is the work day over? When is break? How much longer until lunch? When is the weekend going to get here? Although it is easy to have that attitude, it is important to remember something about the whole idea of work.

Work is God ordained. God has decreed and predestined humanity for work from the beginning of time. It's seen in Genesis where God commands Adam to guard and keep the Garden of Eden (Genesis 2:15). At this point in creation Adam is a gardener—of course he is tending the most beautiful garden ever created—but nonetheless he is still a gardener.

Let me point out that I am not and have never been a gardener, although I do see why people enjoy it. I can also understand why it was man's first appointed job. How could your heart not grow with joy and awe when spending that much time in God’s creation? How could you not develop a strong sense of worship for the one who created it?

Our world is stained with sin (James 1:27). But it is important to remember that work in and of itself was not a part of the fall. As you look at Adam's appointment as gardener, note that it was before the fall. Sin had not entered the world, and yet there was work to be done. This indicates that Christians are not to avoid work, and to avoid work or to have no desire to work is a sinful attitude.

God intended for you to be involved in profitable, productive work. The Bible has choice words for those who are considered slothful and lazy. In Proverbs 19:15, God points out that a pattern of laziness leads to going hungry. Nowhere in the Bible does it say you will love your job or love your work and that if you don’t you should find another job. The Bible actually speaks just the opposite (Genesis 3:17-19).

Ephesians 6:5 says you are to obey your earthly masters as you would Christ. Notice there are no preconditions put on this text. You are to obey, do your job, work hard, and show up on time. You are to give to your boss nothing less than you would give to Jesus. When you do, work becomes a form of worship even if the company you work for is secular—it doesn’t matter. Then your attitude is in line with what God requires and expects from you, which is to simply do all things to the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31).

How have you treated the job God has provided for you? How have you treated the people God has given you as co-workers? This job of yours may be the field of ministry God has put you in. I encourage you not to waste your opportunities.

Although times are uncertain, you can always count on God’s sovereignty over all things, including your job. Do not waver in your work because you are dissatisfied with your job or your boss. Serve your boss, company and co-workers with all your abilities simply because Jesus Christ and the cause of his kingdom are worth it. As a caveat, do it with a joyful attitude from the heart. That is the secret to turning work into worship.

Nick Reddin is Business Development Manager for Manpower’s Des Moines office. For more from Nick visit his blog at www.WorkExposedBlog.com.