This is a meditation on chapter 10 from our Way of Life.

Bring your Work into Harmony with our Way of Life

Our Father, who is in heaven, hallowed be Your Name. Your Kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Recently when I pray the Lord’s prayer, these lines are the ones that stick with me. God’s will be done on earth. We’re praying for His will to be done, but I believe it is also an active prayer. A prayer I am asked to embody and bring forth. Bringing heaven to earth. So when I look at my work, I can’t help but look at it through this lens. Is the work I do with my hands and mind bringing God’s will to be done on this earth? 

Rereading this chapter, I was struck by a couple lines this time. “We accept the invitation from God to become a monastic with the hope of seeing our lives and creation drawn closer to God. Do not choose work that hinders this hope.”  I love the idea that my life and what I do can bring creation closer to God. It feels like a big responsibility. It feels like a grand calling. In my life, I’ve gone to school, worked the service industry, ran a company, worked at a church, and co-lead Urban Monastics (among other things). Looking back at the work I’ve been involved in, there are common threads tying it all together. People. Creation. In every interaction with creation I have a chance to join God in seeing His Kingdom come to earth. 

I look to the person of Jesus as I seek to bring God’s Kingdom to earth in my work. Jesus was the embodiment of the Kingdom on earth. He embodied love, grace, hope, and peace in all He did. Every interaction He had was a collision of the earthly with the Divine. The created with the Creator. When He promoted the dignity of every person He brought heaven to earth. When He challenged the powerful, He righted a wrong in this world. When I treat others with honor and respect, heaven breaks in among us. When I call out injustices done to my neighbors and work to bring them a better life, I am doing my part to right the wrongs. 

I’m coming to the conclusion that bringing my work into harmony with the Urban Monastic Way of Life again comes back to embodiment. How I live and exist within creation just might bring God’s Kingdom to earth. I believe that living in a way that brings love, grace, hope, and peace to those around me does bring creation closer to God. That it brings God closer to creation. For God’s Kingdom is near at hand. May my life and work rest in harmony with Your Kingdom. Let my life leave the mark of Heaven having come to earth.

Photo Credit
Jordan Prins on 12 November 2021 in Wausau, Wisconsin – United States.