In 1930, legendary economist John Maynard Keynes wrote an essay about our future lifestyle in the twenty-first century. He predicted that industrial progress would reduce our workload to 15 hours a week. Keynes may have been a brilliant economist, but he was a pathetic prophet.
In fact, for many, the workweek over the last forty years has increased. In 1980, the highest earners worked the fewest hours. But something happened in the following decades, and by 2005, the longest average workweek belonged to the richest ten percent.
Historically, the rich always worked fewer hours because they could afford it. And the poor always worked more hours, so that they could make more money, so that they could work fewer hours.
To have the wealthiest work the most hours defies all economic wisdom … unless our reasons for work changed. We used to work out of necessity, but Derek Thompson (a staff writer at The Atlantic) argues that something else now energizes our work hours:
The decline of traditional faith in America has coincided with an explosion of new [religions]. Some people worship beauty, some worship political identities, and others worship their children. But everybody worships something. And workism is among the most potent of the new religions competing for congregants.
Nonintuitive Worship
This article began with observations about our workweek, but what strikes me most is Thompson’s observation about worship. He claims modern people worship a variety of gods, just like the ancient Greeks. (I would argue they are the same gods with different names.) If this is true, then we must revise our understanding of the nature of worship.
Most people think worship is the first twenty minutes of a church service. But that thinking misses the heart of worship. Real worship is not merely singing songs; real worship—the motivation and actions of deep veneration—is what we do one hundred and sixty-eight hours a week. We all worship, and we worship all the time. The nature of worship-ritual is nonintuitive.
It’s why workaholics work extra-long hours. They find identity and hope in their careers. They even offer sacrifices to their callings (just ask their spouses and kids). It is in their work they feel they are most themselves. Work is their salvation from insignificance. Work is their worship.
But others find salvation in parenting, likeability, being religious, or being legendary. When the famous tennis player Chris Evert was about to retire, she said,
I had no idea of who I was or what I could be away from tennis. I was depressed and afraid because so much of my life had been defined by being a tennis champion. I was completely lost. Winning made me feel like I was somebody. It made me feel pretty. It was like being hooked on drug. I needed the wins. I needed the applause.
Where Is our Heart?
Real worship rites have always been non-traditional: the ancient rites of sacrifices and the modern song-fests can be skin-deep practices that have nothing to do with our deepest, daily adoration. Because we worship whatever we ascribe ultimate value to.
- If we most want a good name, we may work hard, or spend time with our kids, or walk little old ladies across the street. As long as our good name is held in high esteem.
- If our ultimate value is to feel good, we may pursue romance, or make lots of money, or drop out of work altogether. We might even sing worship songs. All for the euphoric feelings these activities give us.
We most value what our heart most cherishes; and all the affections of our heart—from its mountaintop joys to its undying desires—meditate on that object of worship we most revere.
Our real religion is what we obsess about as we wait for the cashier at Walmart.
Sam
When You Lie …
These are timely thoughts. As more Americans turn from worshipping the one, true Creator and Redeemer God, it is sad to note that rates of suicide in our nation are rising as never before. Could it be that in worshipping idols we are reaping what Isaiah prophesied: “How foolish are those who manufacture idols. These prized objects are really worthless. The people who worship idols don’t know this, so they are all put to shame. Who but a fool would make his own god—an idol that cannot help him one bit?…..The poor, deluded fool feeds on ashes. He trusts something that cannot help him at all. (44: 9,10,20, NLT) May we feed on the Bread of Life and drink of Him, the Living Water. May we turn our hearts away from the idols of this world to worship fully in spirit and truth the only One who is worthy of our adoration and lives…the Lamb slain from before the foundation of the world.
Hi Mary Beth,
Great quote from Isaiah. Thanks.
I wonder if part of our problem is that we don’t’ recognize our idols AS idols, or if we aren’t willing to look inside honestly.
It’s interesting. When Aaron made the golden calf idol, he said, “here is Yahweh who brought you out of Egypt.” In other words, he didn’t think he was making an idol; he just decided that he would worship Yahweh the way Aaron wanted to worship instead of the way God said to worship.
Yikes! I’m convicting myself 🙂
Sam
Sam, I think you nailed it…many don’t recognize their idols. I know I didn’t for a while. When I was married to an abusive man, I put so much effort into trying to please him, until I realized I had made my marriage an idol. My relationship with God had taken second place, and that’s unacceptable. I refocused on God, and, while my husband ultimately divorced me, because God was my priority, He protected me and sustained me, laying out blessings I could not have imagined. I was able to accept the divorce because I knew that I had pleased God, I had obeyed everything He asked me to do, and that is peace beyond measure.
You could be right, Sam. Our culture encourages business and doing. Time for reflecting and being still to hear the Spirit nudge us about idols is rare. I am working this week to slow down and spend more time in stillness to listen because in quietness and confidence is my strength, and in returning in repentance is my salvation. Is 30:15
Busyness not business!
After reading, my thought was like the tax collector in Luke 18: “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner’.”
I spend way too much time with one foot in true worship and one foot in false. Thanks for stepping on my toes so I can put both feet in the right place!
Thanks! Now … if only I could get my foot out of my mouth!
To borrow some thoughts from A.W. Tozer, if we know what someone worships, we can predict the outcome of that person’s life. If I want to know who or what I worship, I need to examine the “gaze of the soul,” where does my mind go when nothing else requires my immediate attention?
I didn’t know that Tozer quote, but it sure makes sense.
The modern world has twisted our minds to think of idols as statues in the back yard. I think the ancient world was much more honest when it made a god of love, money, family, crops, storms, success, family, etc. They knew that the “gods” we worship are more than silver and gold.
Thanks
Sam, I LOVE this phraseology: “We most value what our heart most cherishes; and all the affections of our heart—from its mountaintop joys to its undying desires—meditate on that object of worship we most revere.Our real religion is what we obsess about as we wait for the cashier at Walmart.”
You have hit it correctly once again!