Weekly News | 6.12.26

Labor is a profoundly good part of our human vocation. From the creation mandate in Genesis 1:28 onward, the people of God have been given work to do. It is work that brings our own formation into alignment with the person of Jesus, and participates in the inbreaking and flourishing of God’s shalom in our world. Much of that work is unique from person to person, lived out in the quotidian realities of each day.

For several weeks this summer, our eNews will highlight stories from our community, brief reflections on the intersection of our faith and vocation. May it be an opportunity to receive from someone at COTC as well as an avenue through which we might consider and engage the Lord around our particular work.

Some work days are longer than others. My son (6) will often come into my home office and ask if I can play. The answer is almost always, “Sorry, bud, I’m working.” Then he will say something like, “I don’t like that you have to work.” Little does he know… I often don’t like that I have to work.

But the way I see it, God has given me skills and abilities to do my work- not necessarily for the “glorious” resulting product, but so that I can be a living parable to those I work with in the day-in, day-out grind.

As a creative, it is often irritating to hear criticism or ideas that are not my own from clients. It’s taken me a while to understand that God is using those real relationships with clients/coworkers to do a work of sanctification in me. Usually, more than he is using my art to produce change in others.

I am thankful that He has given me much more patience when I hear others’ ideas, and can now think to myself, “Self, this person who has an idea is made in the image of God just like you. Why don’t we think about what they said before we completely dismiss it? Other people can have good ideas too.”  And…regularly, when I apply those outside ideas to my work, it becomes better, and I am glad I listened.

Although I do start some days wishing I was working on my own original idea or that I was not in front of a computer at all, I am thankful that God gives me opportunities to bring His Kingdom a little closer in small things like how I take criticism, respecting others ideas (even when I think my own were pretty good), and being honest with how much I worked each day. Those opportunities not only show Christ's love to others, but I can feel God slowly chipping away at the cold heart still in me and revealing more of His heart that is deeper inside.

- Mark Lopez works as an Animation Director. He has been a member of COTC for 5 years, has been a part of the Mueller Neighborhood Group, served with Roots, and is on COTC's Parish Council as Senior Warden. Mark is married to Alli, and they have 3 delightful kids.