FABcast #494 - Every Good Endeavor Book Review

Reflecting on Tim Keller’s Book: Every Good Endeavor: Connecting Your Work to God’s Work By RBAR I am amazed how God constantly shows me the theme of freedom in Christ. The point of Every Good Endeavor, by Tim Keller, is that the gospel of Jesus Christ sets the believer free finding identity in career or work. The freedom declared in Galatians 1:1 is applicable to the bondage of self-condemnation and false identity: “For freedom, Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” There is a temptation in any job to fall towards pride or shame. Many experience shame from their past which has prohibited opportunities for a particular career. In the words of pastor and counselor Jack Miller as quoted by Keller, “Cheer up: You’re a worse sinner than you ever dared imagine, and you're more loved than you ever dared hope” (p. xix). Finding identity work is also a deception as true identity is found in the fact that all humans are created in the Imago Dei - in the image of God regardless of what they do for a living. Keller says, “all human work is not merely a job” but a calling by and to God (p. 2). His book reiterates that since all are made in the image of God (Gen 1:26-28) and all gifts/talents are given by God (1 Cor 7:17), Christians should not make distinctions between “Christian work” and secular work (p. 187); All work is God’s work. This book is valuable for a myriad of young professional blue and white collar: Janitors, MDs, PAs, RNs, JDs, assistants, CPAs, entrepreneurs, academics, students, fast food workers and stay at home moms/dads (aka. Domestic engineers) just to name a few. People can easily fall into the pride/shame spectrum and put their identity in work. The enemy is relentless in this regard. Keller points out that a doctor or pastor may be prone to feeling prideful or morally superior whereas someone who does menial work may feel inferior and shameful. Both are wrong because all work is God’s work and it is deception for Christians to believe they are superior because of who they are or because (and I think this is true of most denominal churches in America) that we are doctrinally superior. We must accept this liberating truth: “our work” is not about us; it’s about how God is using our work to restore what was broken in the fall; shalom. I am in full agreement with Keller; we cannot emphasize the message enough that true identity is in Christ. What we do for a living is NOT our identity. And those with “intellectual” or “important” jobs by worldly standards should not get preferential treatment (see James 2:3). These books influence how I introduce myself: “My name is Ryan. I work at Starbucks versus, “I am a Barista.” Making coffee may be what I do [for work], but it will never be who I am. I am who I am base on my birth not by how I make money. Lastly, Every Good Endeavor is another book that confirms my calling in life; namely, that I am to be an ambassador for the abundant life of freedom in Christ. A life of freedom from what others think about me; freedom from what I think about me; freedom from what others think of my job; freedom from what I think of my job. I am completely free from me because I am completely free from people. I need nothing from others, but opportunities to love and serve others. I only care about what Christ thinks about me. Now I am ready to serve wholeheartedly expecting nothing in return. And that my friends is true freedom.