Work and Rest - Miniblog

Lately, I've been inspired by what a certain man has to say on Work. And Work and Rest. Tim Keller. First,

let me just be the first to say how odd it is that someone like me is interested in what a super-educated pastor

is saying to a bunch of professionals in New York. It's weird.


But he's Postmodern. And cool.


Imagine the most controversial topics you can think of. Now imagine a soft-spoken bald man in glasses

talk about each of them without missing a beat, always enlightening and always, always pointing back to the

Gospel of a little baby in a manger.


That's Tim Keller for ya.

One analogy compares two professional runners competing for an Olympic medal. One says, "When that

shotgun goes off, I have ten seconds to justify my existence."

The other, if the Gold medal competition were to be on a Sunday, simply wouldn't go. He rests on Sundays.

Which one is crazier?


Often I'm like the first runner, trying my best to live up to the standard (failing a lot) super anxious, driven. Or

avoiding, procrastinating. Because I've somehow let what I accomplish define me.


But the second runner, when I imagine the security he has--- that he takes the time to rest, that the medal '

doesn't define who he is--- I wonder at that.


I want that. That Message: "It's not ultimately about the work you do. But the finished work

Jesus does for you on the Cross if you trust in him. So you can do all your work, not out of insecurity

and fear. But out of love."

It's slowly starting to sink in.