Love God, work hard, rest well

There are two four-letter words in our vocabulary that can either become dominating or lead to destruction. These two words surround all that we do and have been created for. These two controversial words are "work" and "rest."

Humanity was created for work. Mankind was designed to work with responsibility and authority over the whole created order. Phrases full of action surround the creation of man, phrases such as "fill the earth," "subdue it" and "have dominion." Humanity was designed to work hard and possesses the unique ability to create the most beautiful structures as globally testified. God made us in his image by giving us the capability, creativity, authority and responsibility to make Earth home.

While God created man with the intention of him laboring, he created for him a day of rest as well. Genesis 1 describes how at the end of each day God looked at what he had done and said it was good. Following the creation of man -- with all his responsibility and capabilities -- he said it was very good. Thus making man the pinnacle of creation. Following this summit God did something that is unique. He set a day apart to honor himself; a day that would reflect his character; a day that served as a gift to mankind. God set aside one day for rest.

This day of rest reflected his character in that it is set apart, it is holy, like himself. This day of rest is a day that honors him because it is a day to stop. Stopping his creation and giving a day of rest expresses a faith and trust that only the Creator can provide. This day of rest serves as a gift because it gives us something we need that we would not create for ourselves.

The great crisis of work and rest is that without the one we cannot appreciate the other. Without work we cannot rest well. Without rest we cannot work well. Without work our bodies begin to shut down. Muscles atrophy; bones become brittle; the brain begins to unlearn when not engaged. Without rest, creativity, ingenuity and steadfastness are shot. We have been created for both work and rest. You cannot have one without the other. You cannot honor God without working hard. You cannot work hard without resting well.

Rob Hurtgen is a husband, father and serves as the associate pastor at the First Baptist Church in Jackson.