Weekly News | 7.24.26

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 know someone at COTC as well as an avenue through which we might consider and engage the Lord around our particular work.

Sales as a vocation is odd - working to connect with someone on a human level and provide a product or service for a thing they “need”. Often that “thing” doesn’t clothe them, feed them, or directly help them fulfill Christ’s ultimate purpose for their life…at least, that’s how it feels at times.

I think quite often about why I do what I do; why I love it so much, despite my previous thoughts. I care deeply about people; if they felt listened to and cared for in their interactions with me. In these moments, the Lord reminds me in his still soft way. 

God gave humanity work before sin. Work was never the curse. Alienation, futility, sweat, and toil are what entered work after the Fall. In short, work is a pre-fall blessing, not a post-fall curse. In Genesis 2:15, Adam is placed in the garden “to work it and keep it”. I bet he was good at it too. I bet Adam GOT AFTER IT. I bet he was a hustler. I never thought I would ever say “Adam was a hustler,” but here we are. 

After sin though, work changed and more importantly, our relationship to it changed. What was joyful stewardship became painful toil, suggesting that our deepest longing is not to escape work altogether, rather for it to be restored. In Revelation 22, humanity doesn’t float in a celestial idleness, rather there is a new creation. Many theologians understand this to imply that vocation, too will be restored, without the frustration or futility that accompanies work now.

Statistically speaking, work occupies roughly 1/3 of our waking adult lives. It makes sense then that God would care deeply about it. Scripture spends little time telling us what occupation to choose, rather a great deal of time telling us how to work, “…with diligence, honesty, excellence, justice, love, and as service to the Lord.” (Colossians 3:23–24)

I know that Christ knows the truest intentions of my heart, as I am made in his image.  When my proximity to him and what he wants to show me truly radiates, this beautiful gift he has given us, WORK, proceeds as an act of worship and like our offerings, we can give back to him to show our praise and thankfulness. 

Brad Otts is an Owner/Operator @ Birdcreek Roofing & Construction, a husband to Noelle and father of three kiddos, Maddie-Rose (17), Cash (20) and Shimelis (21). They have been part of COTC since 2018, serving on on the worship team, as Lector and Offertory.  He loves cooking, playing music, traveling to Italy, learning about the Enneagram, being outdoors & reading comics.