Not all work is glamorous.
It's work after all.
I've hoed beet fields - leaving blisters on my hands, picked at the conveyer belt on our potato farm - so I smelt like rotten potatoes, and picked sweet corn - where my guy friends chucked dirt clods at me until my cousin chased them with the 4 wheeler.
I worked at bible camp as a counsellor, taught swimming lessons and lifeguarded at local pool until I graduated university to begin my career as a nurse. At a superficial glance work has its requisite purpose of earning money, saving for a car and for school, but for believers, work isn't merely a task to be completed, it's an opportunity to shine our light to the world around us.
Women & Work: Bearing God's Image and Joining in His Mission Through Our Work edited by Courtney Moore is authored by a handful of Christian women living as fulcrums, balancing motherhood and ministry, with hearts devoted to using their gifts and abilities for the glory of God and the good of others.
Women & Work by Courtney Moore | A Book Review
Content
Content
Purpose of the Book
The intention with this collaboration is to encourage women in their most important calling as disciples of Christ and direct them towards biblical truth to guide the way they work.
Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION
CHAPTER 1 The Creation Mandate, Great Commission, and Your Work - Elyse Fitzpatrick
CHAPTER 2 Image-Bearing and Your Good Works - Missie Branch
CHAPTER 3 Am I Called? - Courtney Powell
CHAPTER 4 You Are What You Do. Or Are You? - Jen Oshman
CHAPTER 5 Bodies of Work - Hannah Anderson
CHAPTER 6 Don’t Waste Your Gifts - Portia Collins
CHAPTER 7 Motherhood and the Mission of God - Courtney Resissig
CHAPTER 8 The Grief and Grace of an Unexpected Career - Joanna Meyer
CHAPTER 9 Healthy Relationships between Men and Women in the Workplace - Faith Whatley
CHAPTER 10 Developing and Growing Your Gifts - Amy Whitfield
CONCLUSION Let Your Light Shine
Summary
The authors teach us work is good, work is fallen, work is redeemable and work is eternal; that God has created us in His image and equipped us for good works; and that the value of our lives is not measured in the productivity of our days. We're led to the parable of the talents, reminded to faithfully steward our unique giftings and to live worthy lives through our roles and relationships.
You’ll find a couple of reflection questions to wrap up each chapter and since each chapter is written by a different author, you get to enjoy a variety of voices.
My Take
One reason I loved this book was that it's message rings so closely with my life.
I've always believed my work is ministry, caring for the sick with hands surrendered to the Lord Jesus, there's always been a purpose embedded in my reason to work. Hearing - or rather, reading - these women share their experience and their life, it helped me feel less alone in my own calling, less isolated as a working woman, and affirmed in a biblical foundation for my work.
Something once again impressed upon me is the development of character.
Whether I was homeschooling my littles or working as a nurse, evidence of my sinful heart spews out, it's unavoidable. Patience grows weary, pride escalates, and when things don't go my way I bristle. I'm desperately in need of grace and the sanctifying work of the Spirit no matter where I am, who I'm with, or what I do. Christlikeness is our goal as disciples and the church and it's a reminder to me that in all things I'm working as unto the Lord and daily being given opportunities for humble repentance.
My Recommendation
If you're a Christian woman who is looking for biblical truths about your calling and the purpose of your work, I'd highly recommend this book!
You can also follow along on the Women & Work podcast, check out their 5 day YouVersion Bible reading plan Work Redeemed: A Theology of Work, and find articles on the Women & Work blog.
Quick Stats
# of pages: 208
Level of Difficulty: Easy
My Rating: 5 stars
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Scriptures On Glorifying God in All We Do
So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. (1 Cor 10:31)
In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. (Matt 5:16)
Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness! (Ps 115:1)
And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Col 3:17)
Everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.” (Is 43:7)
*A big thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC (advanced reader copy) and for the opportunity to share an honest review.