God worked for six days and rested on the seventh. Work, far from being a human invention, was designed by God. When Adam was created, he was given an assignment, a form of employment. Genesis 2:15 states, “The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.” Contrary to common belief, work itself was not the curse; it was a blessing, a divine assignment. By entrusting Adam with the care of Eden, God blessed him with an opportunity to mirror His own creative nature, providing a path to fulfillment and accomplishment. God, the first employer, supervised Adam, as seen in Genesis 2:19: “Now the Lord God had formed out of the ground all the wild animals and all the birds in the sky. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name.”
When God gave Adam the task of naming the animals, He observed without dispute or correction, surely boosting Adam’s confidence in his assignment. I believe God’s acceptance stemmed from His agreement with Adam’s choices, reflecting our inherent creativity as beings made in the image of our Creator.
I contend that God uniquely designed Adam for his assignment, ensuring his proficiency because he was inherently suited for it. God never asked Adam to perform beyond his capabilities; for tasks like creating Eve, Adam was put to sleep.
I believe Adam found joy in his work, loving the tasks God set before him. His work was impactful, and he excelled at it—a testament to having God as his employer.
In our contemporary world, work is often seen as a punishment, a perception rooted in a historical shift.
Genesis 2:17-19 reveals when work transitioned from a celebration to a dread. After humanity’s disobedience, God cursed the ground because of Adam’s sin, decreeing thorns and thistles and that Adam would eat by the sweat of his brow. This explains why many today endure toxic workplaces, feeling trapped in undesirable jobs, overworked, and underpaid. Some even juggle multiple jobs for meager pay. Moreover, a significant portion of our productive lives is spent in workplaces, away from families, hindering quality time with loved ones.
When Jesus entered the world, He declared His mission to bring abundant life. John 10:10 states, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it in full.” Satan’s intrusion in Eden led to theft, killing, and destruction, disrupting humanity’s state. Adam and Eve lost immortality, their enjoyable work became a curse, their relationship with God fractured, and they were expelled from Eden, losing their daily communion with God.
Jesus came to rectify the chaos we brought upon ourselves by aligning with Satan. He offered forgiveness, eternal life, a restored relationship with God through the Holy Spirit, and, I believe, a restoration of our approach to work.
I believe each of us carries a unique assignment within our souls. Many perceive divine job opportunities as limited to “religious activities” like pastoring or gospel music, or working within ministry, such as being an accountant for a ministry. However, the Kingdom of God is rich with opportunities, desiring representation across all industries and fields. Our motivation is the key to discovering our rightful assignment.
Imagine God creating a child, assigning them the task of becoming a businessperson and building a company that invents an impactful product or service to alleviate suffering. He bestows upon this child the intellect to create this company and the passion to joyfully execute this assignment. This was God’s original intent for our work. Unfortunately, in our fallen world, this child, like their parents, is disconnected from God at birth. The parents, understandably, desire their child’s success, a well-paying job, or opportunities for future provision and societal prestige.
Instead of guiding children to discover their God-given assignments, adults often suggest what they believe is best. In rare instances where parents allow children to explore their paths, they often fail to model how to find such assignments. Adults remain in disliked jobs, complaining and lamenting unfulfilled dreams, inadvertently communicating to their children that this is life’s course, leading to similar outcomes.
How then do we return to God’s original design for our work lives? The answer lies in Matthew 6:31-34, where Jesus instructs His disciples not to worry about their needs but to “seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” While some interpret this as only basic needs, I contend it encompasses all our needs, including our career paths.
I believe everyone has an assignment, calling, or career embedded in their soul, whether in medicine, engineering, spirituality, IT, hospitality, or other fields. Some assignments, I believe, involve bringing entirely new industries into existence, carrying inventions within our souls.
The Holy Spirit, a gift from our Heavenly Father through Christ Jesus, is meant to teach us all things. Every Christian receives the Holy Spirit upon accepting God through Jesus Christ, yet many Christians underestimate the power they possess. I liken many Christians to those who receive the Holy Spirit but, instead of utilizing His help, lock Him in a cupboard, living like the rest of the world.
Our Heavenly Father, through the Holy Spirit, desires us to execute the assignments planted in our souls. He wants us to nurture these assignments, bear fruit for His name’s sake, and feel productive, impactful, and competent.
What to do about it:
If you are asking about your Godly assignment on earth, here’s how to discover it. Imagine the information you seek is accessible only through a pipe. To receive the information, you must connect to the pipe and maintain that connection. This information can only be communicated by and through the Holy Spirit. If you are a believing Christian, the Holy Spirit already resides within you, but perhaps your relationship with Him needs development. When Jesus instructed us to seek God and His Righteousness first, He was essentially telling us to cultivate a relationship of hearing from and walking with the Holy Spirit. You seek God through prayer and by studying His Word (inviting the Spirit to interpret it each time you read). Dedicate ample time to God, prioritizing Him. The Spirit will speak to your spirit, and you will begin to hear and discern His voice. With sufficient time spent with God, you will recognize His voice, as John 10:27 states that those who follow God know and hear His voice.
As you learn with the Spirit, the first experience you will become accustomed to is peace. He will begin to alleviate life’s worries, granting you a peace that surpasses all understanding. Pray and ask God for all the answers and direction you need, and persist, for the longer you remain, the more you receive. John 15:4 says, “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” John 15:5 speaks of bearing fruit by remaining in Jesus. Consider the assignment planted within you as a seed; only by seeking and remaining in God can that seed grow and bear fruit. The fruit of this seed will be the revelation of your assignment and its eventual physical manifestation.
As you walk with God, you will begin to hear His voice and receive His instructions. God will not only reveal your assignment but also guide you step-by-step in its execution. He will order your steps and provide the strength and resources needed. The impact of your assignment will be felt in the society you serve, bringing glory to God. God will help you navigate your assignment in accordance with Psalms 23.
Returning to the child mentioned earlier, teaching them to seek God will help them discover their own path. Furthermore, your example will serve as a guide from which they can learn.
As long as the Spirit of God dwells within you, you possess the power to accomplish mighty things on earth. Daniel 11:32 tells us that those who know their God shall be strong and carry out great exploits (King James Version). You were born for mighty deeds. God designed you to prosper in all you do through Him. So, seek Him first, and you will begin to bear fruit in every area of your life. All the Best!
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