Work is Worship
Julian Adams • January 19, 2019
“The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to till it and keep it” (Gen. 2:15).
This point might not be exciting for everyone—in fact, some may want to stone me—but your work is worship.
In the Garden of Eden, work was not toiling. It wasn’t something you had to do to get something. Work was an expression of worship. There are two words used to describe our posture of work: to till is the word abad
and to keep is the word shamar. Both words are also used to refer to worship, and to keep God’s law (for example, Psalm 2:11, 2 Kings 23:3). We work in a garden, we worship in a temple.
It is in the first temple, Eden, where we learn that work is worship. Work is not a punishment. It is God’s idea. There was work to be done in beautiful Eden and, even when the Kingdom entirely comes and makes everything brand new, there will still be work to be done. Our work is not running after something or striving to achieve something. It has to happen from the place of worship, or loving who God is, and from the place of desiring to see His Kingdom come.
Sadly many Christians despise their workplaces because they think that the real activity of the Kingdom is on a Sunday morning.
They think, “I need to get to the prayer meeting, instead of going to play golf, because a prayer meeting is more important than my influence on the golf course with some people who don’t know Jesus yet.”
We have to shift the way we think, because life is not lived only on a Sunday morning. God’s intention in the garden of Eden was not to have one “holy day”, because all of life was holy. If we are to impact the world, we have to move away from an expression of life that values gatherings and Church meetings above His Kingdom of love being expressed wherever we go.
I love the Church. I’m on Church leadership and serve in the local Church because I believe that the Church is the most beautiful thing on planet Earth. But she isn’t there to gather to herself. The church is to leave the building and to establish culture wherever she goes.
This is our work. This is our worship, because everything we do unto the Lord is worship.
Subscribe to Frequentsee teachings
on Apple Podcasts.
If you want to grow in the prophetic, it doesn’t begin with what you say. It begins with what you see. The prophetic is rooted in perception. Not just natural insight, but spiritual awareness—what Scripture calls “the eyes of your heart.” Paul prayed that the church in Ephesus would have their hearts enlightened so they could truly see what God was doing. “I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you…” (Ephesians 1:18) God isn’t distant or withholding. But if we’re going to hear Him clearly, we have to see differently. We need Heaven’s perspective. And that means learning to quiet the noise, tune into His voice, and let Him train our inner vision. You don’t need to wait for a dramatic vision or audible voice. Often, God speaks through a nudge. A mental picture. A scripture that lingers. A sense of burden or joy that feels holy. These are the first signs that your spiritual eyesight is awakening. But it takes time. It takes attention. It takes trust. Just like physical muscles grow with use, your spiritual senses grow as you spend time with Him—not just talking, but listening. Not just asking for answers, but asking for His perspective. You were never meant to live according to what the world says is true. You were meant to live by every word that flows from the mouth of God. A Prayer for This Week: “Lord, open the eyes of my heart. Teach me to see what You see—not just in others, but in myself, in my circumstances, in the world around me. Give me clarity and confidence to trust Your perspective more than my own. Amen.” This week, pay attention to what you notice. The way you see is often the way He speaks.
In this live session, Sean Smith and Julian Adams share their prophetic perspectives on 2025, offering honest reflections on what they sense God is doing across the earth. With hope and expectancy, they discuss the spiritual landscape ahead and how we can prepare for what’s to come.
We are living in a world of dramatic change. The relentless pace of development often leaves us breathless and exhausted. The demand for innovative ways of communicating, inventing, and staying ahead of cultural trends can feel daunting and demoralizing. It can push us into a space where we find ourselves trying to copy rather than be authentic, to imitate rather than create. This pressure can lead us to believe that we need to be more creative, and that our individual stories do not matter. But nothing could be further from the truth. Your story, no matter how small, matters and is powerful. One of the remarkable aspects of ancient manuscripts, like the Bible, is that they tell the stories of individuals whose lives may seem small and insignificant. Yet, God chose to make their lives a memorial of what He could do with a life that the world deems insignificant. The incredible power of the gospel is that it changes lives one at a time. God is as interested in the individual story as He is in redeeming the cosmos. The aim of the gospel is not just dealing with personal sin; it is about restoring individuals to a relationship with a kind Father. In his book Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis beautifully said, "The Son of God became a man to enable men to become sons of God." Justification addresses our standing before God, but our adoption invites us into a relationship with the Father. It allows us to partake of who He is and to live in a place of deep joy from who He is. Romans 3:23 reminds us that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Many of us forget that the work of salvation has turned this verse around. Through Jesus, we have been restored to the glory of God. One description of the word "glory" refers to the divine quality, the unspoken manifestation of God, and splendor. It is the revelation of God's intrinsic worth and beauty. Do you see that? We have been restored to His divine quality, splendor, and beauty. In a world where it can be easy to feel like just another face in the crowd, remember that your story is significant. Your experiences, your journey, and your voice matter. Embrace the unique narrative God has given you and let it shine. You are not just a spectator; you are a vital participant in God's grand story. Your authenticity, creativity, and individuality are valuable. As you navigate the rapid changes of our world, hold on to the truth that your story has power and purpose. God sees you, knows you, and has a plan for your life that is uniquely yours. Let us celebrate the beauty and significance of each individual story, knowing that together, we contribute to a tapestry of divine splendor and glory.