Work and Family, a God-centred perspective

Psalm 127 gives us an opportunity to reflect on the past year and on the year ahead with a God-centred perspective. This Psalm covers two subjects. Work and Family, each from a God-centred perspective.
When thinking about WORK, we are told, “Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labour in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep.”
No matter how skilled the worker, unless the Lord builds with you then your work is in vain. No matter how diligent the watcher, unless the Lord watches with you, your watching is in vain. No matter how early you rise and how late you work into the night, unless the Lord is with you, to bless the work, then your efforts are in vain.
Vs. 2 also mentions a reward to those who do work with the Lords blessing; those who are loved by the Lord, they are granted sleep. How restful was the year just gone? Did the Lord grant you sleep? Or was your year full of anxious toil? Working with the Lord on projects and houses that He wishes to build is the surest way to find rest in your work. Such work is never in vain, but is always successful.
The second area of life the Psalm points us to is FAMILY. Here we read, “Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.”
We live in a world that sees the work of having and raising children as unimportant and second rate. Shame on us for such a thought. How could making and raising humans be seen with such disdain? Let us remember Gods perspective of children and family.
As we take the time this new year to consider our lives, our families, our work, let’s make God the centre and be about building His house.
And while we consider this, lets remember what a blessing it is to be part of God’s house, God’s family, to be counted as God’s children! May that be true of you. I pray it is.