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All Things Good

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Description

In the church, it can seem as though some vocations—such as “pastor” and “missionary”—are elevated above others, set on a pedestal and viewed as more “spiritual” or more “godly” than others. Consequently, we seem to relegate other vocations—such as bakers, construction workers, farmers, and caregivers, for example—to a “lower level.” Christians in these fields and others may leave thinking that they are not engaged in significant work.

We forget that our Savior is also a Creator. In fact, God is a Gardener, City-Builder, Storyteller, Songwriter, Shepherd—the list goes on. Salvation itself is an act of re-creation, the planting of a New Garden, the building of a New City. In the beginning, God was a food-grower and bread-giver, a builder and a life-giver. Moreover, God called humans to imitate and join him in these things. After he planted a garden in Eden and gave them everything to enjoy, he commissioned man and woman to live as his representatives, ruling the earth as the image of God in their harvesting of grain, bearing of children, and general care for the earth and its creatures.

When Adam and Eve rebelled, sin entered the world and brought a curse. Nevertheless, this commission did not end. Getting bread and bearing children would be full of pain and difficulty, but the calling to this work remains.

In our salvation, Jesus Christ came to bear that curse, to die beneath God’s wrath and rise from the dead, in order to make all things new. This “all things” includes the task of ruling the earth, which we will do with King Jesus in a New Heavens and New Earth, in the Garden City he is cultivating and building, a New Jerusalem.

As we await that blessed hope, our present lives and work are not without value. In fact, we do all things—whether we eat or drink or whatever we do—for the glory of God in Christ. In the mundane moments of life—planting a field, changing a diaper, drafting a contract, managing employees, serving customers, building houses—we image forth our Maker and our Redeemer, showing the world what He is like and how he rules creation.

Your work matters to God. The way you do it shows the world what God is like. We hope this song encourages you to do whatever it is God calls you to do not simply as a means of income but as an act of worship.

Lyrics

In the beginning, When no plant was in the field,
You sowed a garden, Provided a bounteous yield.
We lived with purpose— You said, "Fill the earth and rule,"
Enjoyed your presence Walking in the garden cool.
You gave us life, You gave us blessing,
You dwelled with us, And You made all things good.

In our rebellion, Where darkness has left its stain,
We bear our children And harvest our bread in pain.
Yet we are waiting For the serpent to be crushed,
Your promise trusting, As our flesh returns to dust.
Lord, give us life! Lord, give us blessing!
Lord, dwell with us And come make all things good.

In our redemption, You came to fulfill love's plan,
Dwelling among us, As God and yet fully man.
Through pain and suff'ring You were planted in the earth
To raise a harvest, Leading us to second birth.
Jesus— our life! Jesus— our blessing!
You dwell in us, The source of all things good.

In our vocations, In moments of toil mundane,
You work within us, Redeeming our earthly pain.
Our lives we offer, As our faith flows out in love,
To serve the mission Of our King who rules above.
You are our life! You are our blessing!
You dwell with us You're making all things good.

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