Work, Humility, and Paying Our Debt

“In all things, give glory to God.”

God is the Author of Our Victories

All that we have, all that we are, all the talents, traits, interests, and abilities that make each of us unique individuals, are given to us by God. They are given to us along with a mission and a purpose. We may spend all of our lives trying to discern that purpose but what is important is for us to remember that everything we have is on loan to us from God. We owe Him a debt. How do we use what has been given to us? How are each of us repaying that debt?

Are we busy seeking reward, recompense, or special recognition for our achievement or are we humble enough to acknowledge that God is the author of all good things, including our triumphs and victories?

We were created to use our talents for God and for our brothers and sisters, and it is natural for us to take a small amount of pleasure in a success or a job well done. But our relationship with God does not depend on the victories, it depends on the efforts and the intention.

The meaning of our lives stems from the knowledge that we were created as an act of love. Our fallen nature was redeemed by love and we are guided by love to reclaim our place in the garden where we may once again walk side by side with God.

And so we work. We do not worry about who receives credit, how our work compares with others, or how the whole thing will look in the end.

Author John-Mark Miravale writes; “You just work, quietly, carefully, and happily until your job is finished. And then you look forward to seeing how the whole thing looks on the day of the Last Judgment, when the scaffolding comes down, and God invites you in to appreciate the majesty of what He did – and the beauty He let you cooperate in making.” John-Mark Miravale, Beauty- What It Is & Why It Matters, Sophia Institute Press.

We work in gratitude for what we have received, not for what we will get in return. This is true humility.

A Story of two Kings

According to the historian Appian of Alexandria, Julius Caesar sent a letter to the Roman Senate in 47 BC announcing his victory over King Pharnaces II in what is now modern day Turkey. The letter included the line, “veni, vidi, vici,” “I came, I saw, I conquered.”

Over 1700 years later Christian Europe was in danger of being overrun by the Muslim forces of the Ottoman Turks. The Turkish army laid siege to the city of Vienna, a gateway to the European continent.

In response the Polish king, Jan Sobieski III. led a multinational army to lift the siege. The king commended his safety to the Blessed Virgin Mary and descended upon the Turks from a mountain range thought to be impassable. The charge of the famous winged hussars broke the siege and saved Europe from Muslim domination.

Reflecting on his victory King Jan said, “Venimus, Vidimus, Deus vicit,” “We came, we saw, God conquered.” At the height of his reign, after a victory that has come to be regarded as one of the most important in the history of Europe, this king was humble enough to remember the great debt he owed to an even greater king.

Living in the City of Men

In his book, “The City of God,” Saint Augustine posited two realms, the City of God and the City of Men. We live in one, but we are bound for the other. Augustine’s work cautions us not to get so caught up in worldly affairs that we forget we are destined for an eternal home.

For those who rely on their gifts and talents for their livelihood, the need for recognition is understandable. The economy of the current state of the world demands that we promote ourselves to a degree in order to be seen as qualified for more work, more projects and more commissions. This is demanded of us by what Saint Augustine referred to as the “City of Men.” But we are only passing through this city. Our true home is the “City of God.” We should recognize the difference between what is necessary to support ourselves and our families, and what only serves to feed our ego and puff up our sense of pride.

To understand the difference we need an active and fruitful prayer life. Too often we think of prayer as a sort of spiritual vending machine. We ask, and God gives. But that is not how prayer works at all. Prayer does not change God’s mind. God is eternal and unchangeable, that is what makes Him God. Prayer changes us. Through prayer we learn to act more in accordance with God’s will. When we pray we grow closer to God and, out of love and gratitude, we want to work to become the person He meant for us to be, to fulfill the purpose and mission He has given us.

So yes we need to promote our achievements. We need to be recognized as individuals who can use our gifts and talents to accomplish great things. But let us always remember the source of all our gifts and thank Him in humble gratitude.

“Et omnibus deo gloria,” “In all things, give glory to God.”

Pax vobiscum

Lawrence Klimecki, MSA, is a deacon in the Diocese of Sacramento. He is a public speaker, writer, and artist, reflecting on the intersection of art and faith and the spiritual “hero’s journey” that is part of every person’s life. He maintains a blog at www.DeaconLawrence.org and can be reached at Lawrence@deaconlawrence.com

Lawrence draws on ancient Christian tradition to create new contemporary visions of sacred art. For more information on original art, prints and commissions, Please visit www.DeaconLawrence.org

Purchase fine art prints of Deacon Lawrence’s work here.