“I have decided to make a covenant with the God of Israel and turn history around so that God will no longer be angry with us. Children, don’t drag your feet in this! God has chosen you to take your place before him to serve in conducting and leading worship — this is your life work; make sure you do it and do it well.” — 2 Chronicles 29:10-1, The Message, King Hezekiah speaking to the priests and Levites
“What do you do?” spawns all sorts of answers. I’m a writer. I’m also an artist. Some people know me for content marketing strategy. I do a lot of things.
My life work, however, is one. It isn’t to write or draw, though those things may play a part in it. My life work is to worship God and to prompt and lead others to do the same.
The claim might seem tenuous or grandiose. 2 Chronicles 29:10-1, after all, spans a conversation between King Hezekiah and the priests and Levites. I’m definitely not a Levite or Jewish priest, nor do I live in an Old Testament timeline.
I live in the New Testament one, which fulfills the Old. The priesthood still exists, but today’s priests encompass any person who calls on Jesus to be saved. Peter says it explicitly in one of his letters.
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood (emphasis added), a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who has called you out of darkness into his marvelous light; for you once were not a people, but now you are the people of God; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. — 1 Peter 2:9-10, New American Standard Bible
The author of Hebrews presents a related case, persuasively arguing that Jesus is the great high priest.
Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. — Hebrews 5:14-6, New American Standard Bible
Paul, too, implicitly refers to a new priesthood in Romans.
Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of you mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. — Romans 12:1-2, New American Standard Bible
That means my life work, my one and only aim, is to worship God. The shape of that worship may change — Paul says nothing about singing songs and lifting hands in Romans 12:1-2 — but, whatever form it takes, it should take place before the King of Kings. My life work should seek his glory, always, and encourage and invite other people to worship him, too.
To God be all the glory and praise. You are more than enough.
Image: Death to the Stock Photo