After reading this verse, you are probably thinking to yourself, "sure that sounds great, but my workplace is far from what I would call a garden." I would be the first to agree.
God gave Adam a holy assignment to be a gardener. From the beginning, God worked alongside Adam. They were co-workers. They had a loving relationship. God assigned the work and Adam was obedient and cooperative. God was present and sovereign in His garden.
Then one day that all changed. God created a helper for Adam, named Eve. Adam and Even were told not to eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Eve allowed Satan to convince her to disobey. She plucked the fruit from the tree, offered it to Adam and they both ate from it. As soon as they did, they were keenly aware of their sin and were ashamed. God expelled them from the Garden to a life of hard work and difficulties.
Because of this, many of the problems we experience in our workplaces today are the result of sin. Workers reject God's sovereignty. Therefore, workers are self-centered, desire power and want control.
Jesus came to redeem sinful humanity and restore the workplace to God's sovereignty. He came so workers would seek God's kingdom first and trust Him for all their needs. "Seek first the kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." Matthew 6:33.
Jesus came to restore God's original agenda that all work is sacred and fruitful. "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30 He desires to help you learn His ways so that your work will be well-fitted and the burden light.
What does God want you to do in your workplace?
1. Ask Him to convict you of sin that has corrupted your workplace.
2. Confess any sin which you are guilty of in your workplace. Ask for forgiveness. Make it right with a co-worker or boss if necessary.
3. Ask the Lord to reveal to you what work would be like with Him in charge.