Every Job a Parable: What Walmart Greeters, Nurses, and Astronauts Tell Us about God

A Walmart greeter, a nurse, and an astronaut walk into a church. . . .They each bring with them their own exhaustions and exasperations, their own uncertainty about whether and how their work matters to God. Good news: All work matters to God, because all work reflects some aspect of the character of God. God created the world so that it runs best when it mirrors Him, and we ourselves find the most fulfillment when we recognize God behind our labor.John Van Sloten offers a fascinating and innovative reflection on vocation: Our work is a parable of God; as we work, we are icons of grace. Review Based on years of research and interviews, Van Sloten (The Day Metallica Came to Church) explores how Jesus speaks to individuals and to the world using vocation as parable. He urges readers to stop and consider how character traits of God are reflected in the things that make us good at the work we do, and to experience God more on the job. The book is organized around four key questions, with chapter groupings around particular themes. Van Sloten weaves in vignettes from various occupations that reflect aspects of God?s image in the traits that help people excel in those professions. He delves into what it means to live in the image of God, how work is a parable, what God reveals to people about himself through their work, and how people can become closer to God through work. In some places Van Sloten diverges considerably from the topic at hand, but he faithfully returns to the image-bearing nature of day-to-day work. His writing will be best suited for pastors and others with a broader interest in vocational topics. -- Publishers Weekly Review Here are stories of regular people who are discovering the bubbling ferment of God?s Kingdom in their callings and vocations. Read this and be encouraged that the Spirit really is out ahead of us in our work lives and callings. -- Alan Roxburgh, President of The Missional Network