Loving Your Neighbor as Meaningful Work
By Paul J. Yoder
I am thankful for the opportunity to serve on the VMMissions Board of Directors. I am excited that VMMissions has been developing and investing in the marketplace ministry model—particularly given that most Christians are neither pastors nor “professional missionaries.” I am honored to share a few reflections as Aaron Kauffman has been on sabbatical.
I received a sense of calm and clarity as a young adult when I saw people serving God in many fields. In particular, I noticed the examples of my own grandfathers. One was a business owner and pastor, the other a farmer and deacon. I found it valuable—as the son of a pastor—to see that those who came before me served God fully whether as ordained or lay leaders in the Church.
Knowing that I could serve God without going to seminary, I felt called to the classroom. My wife is also an educator. Over the years we have thanked God for the “meaningful work” we find in schools.
I have also reflected on what makes my work “meaningful.” I often joke that working with people makes teaching exciting and compelling—as well as infuriating and frustrating! There was never a dull moment in my middle school classroom! Now that I teach and mentor current and future teachers, the communication patterns are different, but the demands of the learning process and the centrality of relationship are remarkably similar.
In recent months, I have been drawn again and again to Luke 10 and the Parable of the Good Samaritan. I am realizing that the illustration Jesus provides for “loving your neighbor” beautifully embodies what I meant by “meaningful work.” I find this teaching of Jesus key in my attempts to serve God through my “day job.”
I am reminded that loving God and loving neighbor are integrated. Furthermore, Jesus teaches that mercy is central to being a neighbor. In fact, Jesus asks who “do you think was a neighbor to the man?” before directing the expert in the law—and us—to “Go and do likewise.”
I find this passage to be inspiring and challenging. I admit that I too often fail to show mercy like the priest and the Levite. Clearly, loving our neighbors—being a neighbor—requires God at work within us. This is the incarnational witness that not only makes our work “meaningful” but invites God’s transformation in us and through us.
Paul J. Yoder serves as Chair of the VMMissions Board of Directors.