The value of the work of our hands…
Monday, July 9th, 2007Gary Bradley recently spoke on this topic at the Minneapolis gathering. The following is another reflection by Gary on the work of our hands…
“If I knew the world was going to end tomorrow, I would plant a tree today…” Martin Luther
Psalm 90
12 So teach us to consider our mortality,
so that we might live wisely.
16 Let Your work appear to Your servants
And Your majesty to their children.
17 Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us;
And confirm for us the work of our hands;
Yes, confirm the work of our hands.
Psalm 104
24 How many living things you have made, O LORD!
You have exhibited great skill in making all of them;
the earth is full of the living things you have made.
I have been wondering about the culture in which I was formed as a Christian and a few things that do not seem to fit have caused me to ask, “What is the value of the work of my hands?”
First, I have heard that everything is going to burn up and that the earth will dissolve. Is this true? Because if it is, then, this raises the question that perhaps the only things that are useful are those with the greatest utility for right now.
This conclusion would go nicely with the idea that we often hear: people are “resources” rather than uniquely created expressions of the triune Godhead. What about a piece of art, a composition like “the Messiah” or Aaron Copeland’s Appalachian Spring, or any other multitude of expressions? What about your pet dog, Fido, or a well made pair of jeans? What has value if it is all going to burn? These questions wrongly answered drive us to make “Christian art;” they drive people to work at “religious occupations” which do not reflect their first born gifts (as painters, carpenters, web masters, writers, et al).
A similar question that has pushed many to live denying their first born gift is “What really counts for eternity?” The answer often given is: “The souls of men and the word of God.” I agree that they are both of eternal value. But is that all? What about the works of my hands? Do they have eternal value or does all of this life stop at the grave? Such thinking has given rise to the vacuous concept that “art for art’s sake” is a valid motif for making art.
In an immature way I could respond and say “perhaps I should destroy everything that I do because it is all going to burn anyway. I could save God some time at judgment and maybe he would look favorably on me for having seen the fruitlessness of my work.” In my worst dreams I could end up in heaven in a white robe singing Kumbaya.
What do you think is the value of the work of our hands?





