The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.

The Filipino language has a nice word for government – PAMAHALAAN. I hope this word reflects how the government should act according to the meaning of this word. =)

God rested because humans would and could manage. God governs through delegation and rules through a chain of command. He now works through us! He rested because He is God, not a servant, a maintenance crew or a genie who would obey all our wishes. God rested so He could enjoy His creation! God rested so we could follow His example and we too would rest.

As humans, how can we rest? Like God, we should put everything in order. Let’s start in our own room, then to our home, to our our workplace, to the community then to our country (if we are able). I could sleep well on my bed if everything in my room is arranged accordingly. I can write my thoughts if the environment is orderly. I can easily look for things if they are in their proper place. We have peace of mind if everything is in order. If we have peace of mind, we can rest. Like God, we can also rest if we delegate some work to others.

- Ecclesiastes 4:9

Have a buddy, a companion to help you in your tasks. A manager can do his work through and with other people. Parents should train their children while they are young. They should be taught household chores as well as paying utility bills. Leaders should train their subordinates who will later replace them.

How to let God rest? First, let us do our part as manager of creation. God has given us all the powers to govern the Earth where we live in. God gave us the authority to manage our home and the environment that surrounds us. Second, let us do everything that is humanly possible. as God has given us the power to do the possible. We should use and develop the talents and strength that we have. Do not over-depend on prayer. Find and move God’s power that is WITHIN YOU!

Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?

-James 2:15-16

If our abilities are not enough, then it’s time to ask for miracles. Miracle is asking God to break or intervene with the laws of nature which He seldom do.

LET GOD REST. LET OTHERS REST. LET US ALSO GIVE THE GIFT THE GIFT OF REST TO OURSELVES.

Many are confused by the term “poor in spirit”. The truth is, most of us are familiar with this phrase. To be poor in spirit is to be humble before God, to surrender to him, to accept God’s standard and follow them. It is to put God’s will first – not our will. We should let God lead us in all we think or do 24/7.

God is the Real Boss. He’s the one that we should aim to please in every task that we are assigned. The verse above simply says, we should give our best regardless of the pay we receive. We’re giving our best even though nobody is praising the job we’ve done.

For a supermarket cashier on a Christmas eve, it means smiling at the customers and treat them with great respect. For the internet surfer, it is the courage to resist the temptation to visit the web’s red district. For the manager, it is to put people above profits. For the call center agent, it is to answer the 999th call with great enthusiasm just like the first call.

Why? Because when we are poor in spirit, we no longer work for some company, for the pay or the promotion. It is working for the One who created our ability to work. We can experience the kingdom of heaven while here on earth. Being poor in spirit enables us to experience this kingdom within.

Jesus said in Luke 17:20-22

We need to change our mindset towards work. We work because we want to glorify God. Let’s ask God to give us a sense of purpose for everything that we do.