All Work Is Holy

Last weekend I needed to do some work in my yard. There was weeding to do, the deck to get cleaned, patio furniture to put out, and a few other tasks that were crying out for attention. After a particularly long week and a busy weekend at church, I really didn’t have the desire or the energy to get out and work. The fact that the weather had turned cool again didn’t help my lack of interest.

As I prepared to go outside, I recalled my first stay at Shantivanum, a community of prayer near Easton, KS. When the community members there had jobs to do, they lit a candle and uttered a simple prayer. This short ritual reminded them that their work was holy, no matter how mundane the task. This idea came from one of the Eastern religions and it struck a sympathetic chord with me. At Shantivanum, I realized that the tasks at hand seemed to go much faster and that all that we do contributes to the betterment of our world…our work, whether in the office or at home, is indeed holy.

I was also reminded of Miese, the 80+ year-old-mother of my wife, Susie’s, Dutch brother-in-law. On our first trip to visit Miese, she fixed a wonderful dinner for all of us. Upon completion of the meal, we started to clear the table. She protested loudly that she would take care of all of it. Upon further discussion, she explained to us that cooking the meal was only part of an act of love. She liked being able to do the dishes the next morning alone because it reminded her of the lovely evening the day before. She knew that her work, no matter how long it took, was holy.

As I stared out the kitchen window that afternoon, with memories of Shantivanum and Miese in my mind, my energy returned and I proceeded to get my tasks done.

We live in a time when we are pulled in so many different directions. Tasks of all sorts are crying for our attention. If you find yourself without the desire or energy to dig in and do the job, perhaps you might light a small candle and utter the following prayer from Ed Hays:

“May this work that I begin be a prayerful re-creation of my world; may I bring order out of chaos as the Ultimate Creator brought order on the first day of creation.”

After your task is done, blow out your candle and breathe in deeply. Your personal world is made more sacred by completing your holy task. May it bring you peace.

—David Diebold

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