design – Called To Work

75. Created and Called – Your Work Makes You Beautiful

March 2, 2026

Scripture Reading: Song of Songs 1:5, 2:15

A survey from Pew research found that 28% of Americans believe that it is “generally better for a marriage if the husband earns more than his wife.” Another study found that men’s egos were bruised when their wives or girlfriends excelled at work. Women sometimes worry that their achievements will make them seem threatening or unattractive, so they downplay their accomplishments. [1] But that’s not based on biblical wisdom. Instead, the Bible affirms the beauty of working women.

Song of Solomon is a book of love poetry that praises the beauty and value of a working woman. Just a few verses in, the woman states that her skin is dark because she works in a vineyard in the sun. In the ancient world, aristocracy looked down on darker skin, not for racial reasons but for economic reasons; it was a sign of the working class, who typically worked outdoors. In God’s love letter, however, the effects of work don’t diminish a woman’s beauty. “I am black and beautiful,” the woman says.

The remainder of this book highlights the value of work for both men and women. The second chapter describes them working together in a vineyard to keep animals from eating the harvest. The man and woman are so in love with each other that they turn work into a game. Together, they chase away the “little foxes.” This picture of work hearkens back to the Garden of Eden, where work was easy and pleasant. It’s as if the couple experiences a glimpse of God’s future redemption wherein “They shall build houses and inhabit them; they shall plant vineyards and eat their fruit.” (Isaiah 65:21)

The joyful partnership in this verse reflects work as it was intended, while the beauty of the woman reveals how God views working women. Participation in the workplace doesn’t detract from a woman’s worth or beauty in God’s eyes.

Prayer: Lord, thank you that you affirm the beauty and value of women who work. Amen.

Further Exploration: For more on men and women working together in love, see the Theology of Work Bible Commentary on Song of Solomon.

[1] “Leaning In at Work, Traditionalist at Home: Women Who Hide Their Success.” Time, May 2, 2014, http://time.com/85391/leaning-in-at-work-traditionalist-at-home-women-who-hide-their-success/

Author: Theology of Work Project

Theology of Work Project Online Materials by Theology of Work Project, Inc. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. Based on a work at www.theologyofwork.org

You are free to share (to copy, distribute and transmit the work), and remix (to adapt the work) for non-commercial use only, under the condition that you must attribute the work to the Theology of Work Project, Inc., but not in any way that suggests that it endorses you or your use of the work.

Unless otherwise noted, the Scripture quotations contained herein are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, Copyright © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and are used by permission. All rights reserved.

74. Created and Called – God Calls Women to Use Their Gifts and Embrace New Opportunities

February 23, 2026

Scripture Reading: 2 Chronicles 34:22-33

Huldah, a woman in the Old Testament, lived “in Jerusalem in the Second Quarter” (2 Kings 22:14), which was considered the “university” quarter. Some have suggested that she was a teacher by profession. She was married to Shallum, who was the uncle of the prophet Jeremiah. Like Jeremiah, Huldah was a prophet, meaning she could communicate God’s will to the people.

The backstory for Huldah’s work is a recurring one in the Bible. The Hebrew people often forgot God and engaged in the religious practices of neighboring countries. God sent prophets to call the people back to Him, but the people repeatedly returned to idolatry.

After a series of evil kings, Josiah came to power. Unlike Israel’s leaders before him, he “did what was right in the sight of the Lord” (2 Kings 22:2). While Josiah was working to restore God’s temple, his workers stumbled upon an ancient manuscript, “the book of the law.” He immediately sent for a prophet who could explain the text.

The capital city of Jerusalem did not lack prophets at the time. Both Zephaniah (Zeph. 1:1) and Jeremiah (Jer. 1:1–2) prophesied during Josiah’s reign. But God led the leaders of the nation to ask Huldah, a woman, to do the important job of interpreting the Scripture for the king. Huldah boldly told these leaders what they needed to hear. In response, Josiah renewed the nation’s covenant with God, and the people “did not turn away from the Lord” during Josiah’s reign.

Gifts vary greatly from person to person, but whatever gifts God gave you, use them boldly as Huldah did. Do not shy away from speaking up, leading, or using your gifts in your workplace.

Prayer: Lord, help me recognize my gifts and embrace new opportunities. Guide me to the work you have for me. Amen.

Author: Theology of Work Project

Theology of Work Project Online Materials by Theology of Work Project, Inc. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. Based on a work at www.theologyofwork.org

You are free to share (to copy, distribute and transmit the work), and remix (to adapt the work) for non-commercial use only, under the condition that you must attribute the work to the Theology of Work Project, Inc., but not in any way that suggests that it endorses you or your use of the work.

Unless otherwise noted, the Scripture quotations contained herein are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, Copyright © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and are used by permission. All rights reserved.

73. Created and Called – God Calls Women to Lead

February 16, 2026

Scripture Reading: Judges 4:6-9, 14-16

The story of Deborah shows us a godly woman at work, commissioned by God for leadership during a tremendously difficult time. Deborah’s work was both legal and military. As a judge she settled people’s disputes. She also set military strategy for Israel’s generals, as we see her doing in Judges 4:6-9. Inspired by wisdom from God, she directs Barak, a general, about how to defend the nation of Israel. Barak lacks Deborah’s confidence, so he refuses to go to war without her. Deborah agrees. She goes with the soldiers to the battlefield and delivers such a stirring pep talk in Judges 4:14 that Barak gains enough confidence to do his job successfully.

No other leader in the book of Judges is also called a prophet like Deborah is in Judges 4:4. By this characterization she is similar to Moses and Joshua, to whom God also spoke directly. Deborah led confidently because God put her in leadership and spoke to her about what she should do in that role. Deborah knew that God would help her. This is where Deborah’s confidence came from.

God gifted Deborah, and he gave her success in a time of crisis, even with a poorly equipped army led by a frightened general. Successful working women are not a new phenomenon. God has raised up women as leaders throughout history in many different fields. If you need confidence in your work, look no further than Deborah, who took her confidence from her relationship with God and from the surety that God would help her in her work.

Prayer: God, you have put me in my place of work today. Guide my words and actions. Help me lead with confidence, knowing that you are with me. Amen.

Further Exploration: For more on Deborah and women’s leadership, read the Theology of Work Bible Commentary’s article on Deborah .

Author: Theology of Work Project

Theology of Work Project Online Materials by Theology of Work Project, Inc. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. Based on a work at www.theologyofwork.org

You are free to share (to copy, distribute and transmit the work), and remix (to adapt the work) for non-commercial use only, under the condition that you must attribute the work to the Theology of Work Project, Inc., but not in any way that suggests that it endorses you or your use of the work.

Unless otherwise noted, the Scripture quotations contained herein are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, Copyright © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and are used by permission. All rights reserved.

72. Created and Called – After the Fall: God is With Us in Our Work

February 9, 2026

Scripture Reading: Genesis 3:16, 4:1-2, Philippians 4:1-3, 19

Because both the first woman and the first man disobeyed God’s earliest commandment, work became more difficult. Adam finds that his original work (gardening) is much harder, while Eve’s greatest difficulty is childbearing.

Nonetheless, God helps Eve with the work of parenting. Eve says about her firstborn, “I have produced a man with the help of the Lord.” It is only through God’s help that we can do any work, whether it’s parenting, ministry, or work in the marketplace. In Philippians 4, Paul writes to both men and women about their work together building the church in Philippi. He encourages these men and women, telling them that God will help them and meet all their needs.

Wherever we work today, whether at home or in a paid workplace, God is with us when things get painful or difficult. God has not abandoned us because of our sin. Rather, God wants to help us in our work.

Prayer: God, be with me in my work today. I need your help. Let me know your presence when I am in pain or difficulty. Amen.

Further Exploration: After the Fall, our work is more important than ever. Read People Work in a Fallen Creation from the Theology of Work Bible Commentary.

Author: Theology of Work Project

Theology of Work Project Online Materials by Theology of Work Project, Inc. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. Based on a work at www.theologyofwork.org

You are free to share (to copy, distribute and transmit the work), and remix (to adapt the work) for non-commercial use only, under the condition that you must attribute the work to the Theology of Work Project, Inc., but not in any way that suggests that it endorses you or your use of the work.

Unless otherwise noted, the Scripture quotations contained herein are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, Copyright © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and are used by permission. All rights reserved.

71. Created and Called – God Created Women to Work

February 2, 2026

Scripture Reading: Genesis 2:15-22

The first thing God does after creating Adam is give him a job: tend my garden. But soon God realizes that working alone is not good for Adam. So God creates a woman, another person to share the workload.

The phrase in Hebrew that is used to describe the first woman is ezer k’negdo. Ezer is used in the Old Testament to describe one who helps, not as an apprentice or assistant, but as a strong ally. The word is used to refer to nations that Israel appealed to for military aid; it is also used to describe God himself as our “helper.” The word k’negdo means “comparable to him” or “suitable to him.” Put together, the phrase indicates that Eve was created as a partner, with the purpose of joining Adam in the work God had asked him to do.

As we examine the unique challenges of being a Christian woman in the workplace, it is important to understand that the working woman is not a modern invention. For example, a woman who aspires to become a partner in a law firm is not a modern aberration; rather, she is responding to the way God created her. The first woman was created with a job, just as Adam was.

Prayer: Lord, help me to work as you designed me to work. Help me steward the gifts you’ve given me. And help me partner with others to complete the good work you call us to. Amen.

Further Exploration: To learn more about God’s intention for relationships as shown in creation, read God Creates and Equips People to Work from the Theology of Work Bible Commentary.

Author: Theology of Work Project

Theology of Work Project Online Materials by Theology of Work Project, Inc. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. Based on a work at www.theologyofwork.org

You are free to share (to copy, distribute and transmit the work), and remix (to adapt the work) for non-commercial use only, under the condition that you must attribute the work to the Theology of Work Project, Inc., but not in any way that suggests that it endorses you or your use of the work.

Unless otherwise noted, the Scripture quotations contained herein are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, Copyright © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and are used by permission. All rights reserved.

70. Tuning Into God – Renew Your Mind

January 26, 2026

Scripture Reading: Romans 12:2

Over the course of an average workday, you’ll likely face many moments when your mind could use a refresh button.

When too many things clamor to take up space in your head, take a moment to tune into God.

Each of the spiritual practices you learned these past few weeks serves to renew your mind. Every time you flex that muscle, you are more able to “discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12:2).

Which practice most helped you tune into God in the past few weeks? Was it seeking God through your work? Breathing and repeating the Jesus prayer? Scanning your body for tension? Or being mindful of the world around you?

Whichever practice was most helpful to you in the past few weeks, make that your practice today.

Use one of these practices to tune into God:

· Tune into God through work. Try to imagine a task as something that you and God are doing together. Listen for any new insights, ideas, or emotions that come to your mind while working.

· Practice the Jesus Breath Prayer. Breath in and repeat the words, “Lord Christ.” Breath out and repeat the words, “Have mercy on me.”

· Still your body. Scan your body for any tension. Ask what it means. Ask God to help you let go and relax.

· Mindfulness. Be present to the world around you. Notice your thoughts and surroundings without judgement. Ask God what he’d like you to pay attention to.

Reflect: How do you feel after completing a spiritual practice? Moving forward, how can you tune into God in your day-to-day life?

Prayer: God, renew my mind through your Holy Spirit. May I follow you in my moment-by-moment.

Further Exploration: If you enjoyed this plan, find more plans from the Theology of Work Project at www.theologyofwork.org/devotion

Author: Theology of Work Project

Theology of Work Project Online Materials by Theology of Work Project, Inc. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. Based on a work at www.theologyofwork.org

You are free to share (to copy, distribute and transmit the work), and remix (to adapt the work) for non-commercial use only, under the condition that you must attribute the work to the Theology of Work Project, Inc., but not in any way that suggests that it endorses you or your use of the work.

Unless otherwise noted, the Scripture quotations contained herein are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, Copyright © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and are used by permission. All rights reserved.

69. Tuning into God – Mindfulness

January 19, 2026

Scripture Reading: Matthew 6:25-34

Mindfulness is the practice of paying attention to what you’re paying attention to right now.

Focusing on the here and now helps you tune into God – wherever you might find God in the present moment.

It’s hard to tune into God when you’re preoccupied with worries about the future. When Jesus taught his followers to let go of their anxiety, he pointed out concrete examples in the world they could see all around them. The flowers in the field and the birds flying overhead aren’t troubled by worry. When you practice mindfulness, you become more like birds and flowers – present and attuned to God’s provision.

You might start a mindfulness practice by paying attention to the natural world you see around you. If your mind starts to wander into the future, gently bring it back to the present moment.

You can practice mindfulness by being fully present to whatever you experience in the moment, whether it’s birds flying overhead or the work project in front of you.

In the introduction to “The Devout Life,” St. Francis de Sales describes the spiritual discipline this way: “If you have gone astray, quietly bring your soul back to the presence of God.”

Practice mindfulness:

· Take a moment to still your body and mind. If thoughts about the future trouble you, give yourself permission to put those issues on hold.

· Pay attention to what you’re paying attention to right now.

· Let go of the need to judge it – just give the present moment your full attention.

· Thank God for sharing this moment with you.

Prayer: God, sustain me in this present moment as you sustain all of your creation.

Further Exploration: Read about what a mindful workplace looks like.

Author: Theology of Work Project

Theology of Work Project Online Materials by Theology of Work Project, Inc. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. Based on a work at www.theologyofwork.org

You are free to share (to copy, distribute and transmit the work), and remix (to adapt the work) for non-commercial use only, under the condition that you must attribute the work to the Theology of Work Project, Inc., but not in any way that suggests that it endorses you or your use of the work.

Unless otherwise noted, the Scripture quotations contained herein are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, Copyright © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and are used by permission. All rights reserved.

68. Tuning into God – Still Your Body

January 12, 2026

Scripture Reding: Psalms 46:10

Tension may show up in your body before you’re even aware of it in your mind. A knot in the pit of your stomach or a furrowed brow may be your best indicator that something’s wrong.

When you feel ill at ease, it could be you’re walking into a broken situation where you need God’s perspective. Or it could be your own fear, anger, or judgement that’s coming between you and God. The practice of stilling your body and scanning for tension can be a good step to tuning into God’s wisdom.

Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still, and know that I am God!” The Hebrew verb “raphah” which is translated as “be still” literally means “to let something drop, to let go, or to abandon something.”

When you find tension in your body – something that keeps you from being comfortably still – maybe there’s something you need to let go of. It could be an underlying fear that you need to give to God, or a response like anger or judgement that you need to ask God to forgive. Or it could be you’re facing a difficult situation and you need to prayerfully reflect about what next steps you can take.

Ask God to help you address the root cause of your tension. Then ask God to give you his stillness.

Practice stilling your body:

· Close your eyes and scan your body from the bottom of your feet to the top of your head. Where do you notice pain or tension?

· Ask God: What does this tension mean?

· Let it go. Practically, this might mean forgiving someone, or asking for forgiveness, or praying about what next step you can take to restore a broken situation.

· Ask God to take away the tension and help you relax.

· Take a few slow breaths until you feel calm and still.

Prayer: God, still my body, and let me know you.

Further Exploration: Read an interview with author Lauren Winner on being still.

Author: Theology of Work Project

Theology of Work Project Online Materials by Theology of Work Project, Inc. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. Based on a work at www.theologyofwork.org

You are free to share (to copy, distribute and transmit the work), and remix (to adapt the work) for non-commercial use only, under the condition that you must attribute the work to the Theology of Work Project, Inc., but not in any way that suggests that it endorses you or your use of the work.

Unless otherwise noted, the Scripture quotations contained herein are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, Copyright © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and are used by permission. All rights reserved.

67. Tuning into God – Practice the Jesus Breath Prayer

January 5, 2026

Scripture Reading: Genesis 2:7

Your breath can be a powerful connection to God.

With his own breath, God made the first man come alive. A practice of tuning into God through your breath can remind you that everything good – including life – is a gift from your creator.

Many ancient meditative practices focus on slowing down and paying attention to your breath. One such prayer was described in “The Way of the Pilgrim” in the 19th century. It’s called “The Jesus prayer” because with every breath you recognize your need for Jesus as a savior.

The Jesus Prayer uses your natural breath pattern to meditate on the words “Lord Christ, have mercy on me.” On each inhale you say the words “Lord Christ,” and on each exhale you say, “Have mercy on me.”

This phase comes from Luke 18:38, in which the man who calls out to Jesus is healed.

You can try the prayer with other phrases that remind you of your reliance on God. For example, you could repeat the words “Father… I belong to you” which comes from Psalm 73:23. Another phrase which is used by prophets in the Bible is “Lord… here I am” (Isaiah 6:8, 1 Samuel 3:4).

Practice the Jesus Breath Prayer:

· Breath in and repeat the words, “Lord Christ.”

· Breath out and repeat the words, “Have mercy on me.”

· Repeat this prayer 10 times, or until your breathing becomes calm and slow.

Prayer: Lord, every breath I take comes from you. Help me connect with you, the source of my life.

Further Exploration: Read about using prayer triggers as reminders to tune into God .

Author: Theology of Work Project

Theology of Work Project Online Materials by Theology of Work Project, Inc. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. Based on a work at www.theologyofwork.org

You are free to share (to copy, distribute and transmit the work), and remix (to adapt the work) for non-commercial use only, under the condition that you must attribute the work to the Theology of Work Project, Inc., but not in any way that suggests that it endorses you or your use of the work.

Unless otherwise noted, the Scripture quotations contained herein are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, Copyright © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and are used by permission. All rights reserved.

66. Tuning into God – Tuning into God Through Work

December 29, 2025

Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 2:6-16

Nearly every moment of every day, dozens of different demands compete for your attention.

Your boss says, “Do this now!” Social media screams, “Look over here!” The people you love clamor for your time. With all these voices, it can be hard to hear the quiet leading of God.

Tuning into God is a spiritual discipline. It’s a muscle you need to flex in order to make it stronger. This plan presents four practices you can use to turn down the volume on the other voices that surround you and turn up the volume on God.

Listening practices are spiritual because they cultivate a different kind of hearing. As 1 Corinthians 2 says, God can’t be seen with normal eyes or heard with normal ears. God can only be revealed through the Spirit.

You can practice tuning into God’s Spirit no matter where you are, including at work.

Brother Lawrence, a seventeenth century monk, learned to connect with God through his day-to-day labor. As he worked in the monastery kitchen, Brother Lawrence trained himself to view his work as something he was doing with God. While he washed dishes, he thought about how much he loved God and how much God loved him. This turned his work into an act of prayer – something that he and God were doing together.

Practice tuning into God through work:

· Think of one manual task you need to do today. It could be washing dishes, pulling weeds, folding laundry, or anything else you need to do.

· Before you start this task, ask God to be with you in your work.

· Try to imagine the task as something that you and God are doing together.

· Listen for any new insights, ideas, or emotions that come to your mind while working.

Prayer: God, thank you for being with me in my work. May my everyday labor be a place where I can tune into you and feel your presence.

Further Exploration: Read this personal reflection on seeing work like Brother Lawrence did .

Author: Theology of Work Project

Theology of Work Project Online Materials by Theology of Work Project, Inc. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. Based on a work at www.theologyofwork.org

You are free to share (to copy, distribute and transmit the work), and remix (to adapt the work) for non-commercial use only, under the condition that you must attribute the work to the Theology of Work Project, Inc., but not in any way that suggests that it endorses you or your use of the work.

Unless otherwise noted, the Scripture quotations contained herein are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, Copyright © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and are used by permission. All rights reserved.

Called To Work

Author: design

75. Created and Called – Your Work Makes You Beautiful

74. Created and Called – God Calls Women to Use Their Gifts and Embrace New Opportunities

73. Created and Called – God Calls Women to Lead

72. Created and Called – After the Fall: God is With Us in Our Work

71. Created and Called – God Created Women to Work

70. Tuning Into God – Renew Your Mind

69. Tuning into God – Mindfulness

68. Tuning into God – Still Your Body

67. Tuning into God – Practice the Jesus Breath Prayer

66. Tuning into God – Tuning into God Through Work

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