Does My Work Matter?

Do you love what you do for work? For years, I struggled with a mental divide in my head that differentiated “sacred” and “secular” work. Even though I wouldn’t have said it out loud, in my mind, there was a mental hierarchy that said, “being a pastor = good” and “being a plumber = OK.”

Of course, I’ve run into quite a few people who believed just the opposite. Several years ago, I interviewed Pastor Daniel Im, who shared how his high-performing Korean parents discouraged him from going into full-time ministry. To them, this meant sacrificing your potential. Why be a worship pastor at a church when you could be a doctor and make something of yourself?

Maybe you grew up in a more neutral setting, and this sacred/secular divide wasn’t a big deal to you. But even if you didn’t, you still probably rub shoulders with people who do and carry a sense of shame. For example, when I was a pastor, I’d often hear people in the church make overly self-deprecating remarks, saying things like, “Oh, I can’t lead that small group because I don’t have the training.”

Similarly, I’ve interacted with full- or part-time ministry leaders who feel insecure because their church isn’t growing and believe they’re wasting their lives away as friends pull in comfortable six-figure incomes.

But as someone who has worked on both sides of the “sacred and secular divide,” let me share a few ways I’ve learned to rethink how I think about work.

First, There Shouldn’t Be a Divide

Work isn’t a punishment or a consequence of humanity’s fall into sin; it’s actually part of God's original, good design. In Genesis 2:15, we see clearly: “The LORD God took the man and placed him in the garden of Eden to work it and watch over it.” Notice this happens before sin enters the picture.

God intentionally gave humans the responsibility and privilege of cultivating creation, suggesting work itself holds intrinsic dignity and value. Work is woven into the fabric of humanity, reflecting our creator, who himself delights in purposeful action and creativity Genesis 1:31.

Also, Heaven is much more than clouds and harps. There will be meaningful work - and I've got a feeling there might be more connection between what we do in eternity and what we do on earth than we might realize (I once had an undertaker offer some pushback on this take!).

Second, All Work Is Sacred

Every job is sacred because it reflects the dignity of work given by God and the call to serve others in love. Whether you’re cleaning hotel rooms, managing a company, teaching kids, or working construction, each role becomes an opportunity to bear God's image through diligence, humility, and integrity.

Colossians 3:23–24 reminds us that whatever we do, we are to work at it “with all our heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” That means there are no second-class callings—only different ways to participate in God's redemptive work in the world. When done in faith, even the most unnoticed job becomes worship, a living sacrifice that honors the Creator and blesses creation.

Do you believe this? Here are two questions to test if you do.  

First, if you lean more toward the hierarchy as I did, ask yourself: Would I be just as happy if my kid turned out to be a nurse as I would be if he turned out to be a pastor? Or would you be disappointed?

Second, if you were raised with more of a “Being in full-time ministry is a waste of a life” camp, Would you be just as happy if your kid turned out to be a worship leader as you would be if she turned out to be a doctor?

Third, Every Job Can Be Fulfilling

Every job, no matter how ordinary or seemingly insignificant, can become deeply fulfilling when we recognize that our ultimate satisfaction and sense of purpose come from Christ alone. With this mindset, even the most mundane tasks transform into meaningful acts of worship and service.

True contentment at work isn't dependent on external factors like status, recognition, or even personal passion. Rather, fulfillment emerges from an ongoing relationship with Jesus, who provides identity, purpose, and joy that transcends any specific job or role. In Philippians 4:11–13, Paul shares this very secret of contentment:

¹¹ I don’t say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I find myself. ¹² I know how to make do with little, and I know how to make do with a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content—whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. ¹³ I am able to do all things through him who strengthens me. 

Because our satisfaction is anchored in Christ, we gain the freedom to approach our work with joy, resilience, and peace—qualities that turn any job into a fulfilling pursuit, reflecting his grace to the world around us.

In short, your work matters. You are not defined by what you do, but each swing of the hammer, turn of the scalpel, and messy diaper change is an opportunity for worship. So go out and live like this is true because it is.