The daily grind
90,000 HOURS
By Rodney Green
Scripture Union. 149 pages
ISBN 1 85999 594 2
'90,000 hours is the amount of time you will probably spend at work during your lifetime.' Does it feel like a sentence - a challenge - or even a privilege? Too many Christians today veer either to the extreme of workaholism, where work becomes everything, or to a dull negativity about work where it feels like a monotonous and necessary evil that keeps the bills paid.
If you ever have wondered where your personal accumulation of working hours fits into God's purposes and priorities, here is a book that will help you.
Rodney Green homes in on four big biblical themes that affect the world of work: Creativity, Rest, Harmony and Perseverance. He shows not only that we can 'image' our Creator God in our working environment, but can also powerfully display Christian graces as we are confronted at work by the underhand, the sleazy, the angry and the downright selfish.
He isn't afraid to be forthright; the stress we all face is ultimately traced back to our rebellion and alienation from our Lord and Maker, and no amount of 'management speak' can really deal with that. He charts how the 'rest' of the Lord's Day, from which we should all benefit, has been thrown away by successive governments - mainly Tory ones - in the interests of big business. He is very straight about bosses needing to remember to whom they will answer, so that they don't get tempted into the David Brent world of 'The Office' - posturing, gossiping and empire building at the expense of those whose job is on the line because of changeable whims. Nor should employees feel that a little 'harmless' back chatting about the boss would help keep in with others - it certainly won't get heaven's smile!
He is also honest about himself; his sense of achievement, but also the times when 'God's throne room seems shut for business' and he felt left and languishing.
There is a lot here to help you - biblical, sane, helpful and Christ-honouring insights. There are good illustrations too, but I felt that he could have 'personalised' them more. General themes are important, but it is real people we all meet at work. Perhaps this is where Mark Greene's 'Thank God It's Monday' scores higher in my estimation - same good biblical foundation, but warmer and more earthed in tone. Both recommended, but if you have to choose, go with Greene with an 'E' first.
Ray Evans, Bedford
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