How is Work Really Forming You?

The things we build and how they build us

I've been wrestling with a question lately, one that James K.A. Smith sparked in his book, You Are What You Love: How is my work forming me? Not just what am I doing, but who am I becoming in the process?¹

It's a question worth pausing for. Because work isn't just something we do – it's something that does something to us.

Smith's book got me thinking. We often talk about finding our "calling" and using our work to serve God. We know, intellectually, that our jobs are more than just answering emails, satisfying clients, or checking boxes. But do we really consider the subtle, day-to-day impact of our labor on our souls?

The rhythm of our labor isn't just about what we build; it's about who we become. Every task, every deadline, and every interaction actually sculpts us. Like a potter at the wheel, the pressures and patterns of our work are constantly shaping our character.

Think of it this way: our daily routines become the grooves in our character. The constant pressure to perform can etch anxiety into our hearts. Acts of service carve out spaces for compassion. Repetitive tasks, like endless data entry, can cultivate patience... or breed monotonous drudgery. The way we handle conflict at work trains us in either grace or resentment.

If we're not careful, work can form us in ways we never intended. It can make us anxious, prideful, impatient, or burnt out. It can cultivate a striving, performative spirit that subtly – almost imperceptibly – rewires our sense of worth.

Or – and this is the hope – when approached with awareness and surrender, it can shape us into people who are more patient, more generous, more like Jesus.

This isn't just a practical question; it's a deeply spiritual one.

I've been on this journey myself. If you've been following along, you know I'm no longer flying through trees as a zip-line guide. My career is in digital marketing – a world driven by performance, conversions, and ROI.

It's fast-paced. Constantly shifting. You troubleshoot, strategize, and sprint to keep up. You solve problems for clients, steward resources, and navigate an ecosystem that rewards speed, efficiency, and results.

It's creative. It's challenging. And, at times, it's brutal.

The highs are exhilarating, but the lows? They can feel soul-crushing. It hurts when a campaign flops or a recommendation doesn't land. It's disappointing when a meeting doesn't go well. It's easy to tie your worth to your performance and feel like a failure on bad days.

Does that sound familiar?

One night, I brought up the question we're pondering – How is my work forming me? – directly to God.

I didn't get a detailed analysis of my industry or my habits. I wasn't struck with bullet points about how I should be more efficient or strategic. What I heard was this:

"You are my creation, and you are worth the life of my Son."

God went straight to the root: my identity.

I'm learning (and it is a learning process) that my worth isn't tied to production or achievement. It's found in whose I am. According to Jesus, my life was worth saving – not because of my potential or performance, but because I belong to Him.

And friend, that's true for you, too.

Belonging to Him isn't just about being saved; it's about being called. Called to step out. Called to trust. Called to live a life calibrated toward Him, even when the path feels uncertain. Jesus is our true north.

Now, let's get specific. How does this play out for you?

For my friends in sales: Do you find yourself always focusing on the end goal, or are you present during each interaction? Does the pressure to close a deal ever compromise your integrity, or does it refine your ability to build genuine relationships?

For those working in classrooms: Does the demand to perform and grade instill perfectionism, or cultivate patient encouragement? Does the pressure to meet standards ever overshadow individual needs?

To the nurses working long hours: Does exposure to suffering lead to compassion fatigue, or deepen empathy and reliance on God's strength? Does the stress of a shift ever cause you to lose your peace?

For those making a living with digital creativity: Does the need to please clients fuel a dependence on external validation, or refine your trust in your God-given creativity? Does the pressure of social media cause you to please people instead of God?

To parents: Does constant care cause overwhelm, or refine your ability to show God's unconditional love? Does the pressure of modern parenting lead to control instead of trust?

These aren't accusations; they're invitations. Invitations to examine the subtle ways our work is shaping us.

I can't help but think of David as a biblical example of this concept. We often think of him as the giant slayer, the king, and the poet. But before all of that, he was a shepherd. And it's in those seemingly humble beginnings that we find a powerful example of how work shapes us.

Shepherding in ancient Israel wasn't a quaint, pastoral scene. It was tough, lonely, and often dangerous work. Think rugged hillsides, scorching sun, and the constant threat of predators – wolves, lions, even bears. A young shepherd had to be vigilant, resourceful, and brave. He had to learn the land, anticipate danger, and be willing to risk his own safety for the flock.

This wasn't just about keeping sheep alive; it was about developing the very qualities that would later define David as a leader: courage, responsibility, strategic thinking, and a deep reliance on God. The solitude of the shepherd's life fostered introspection and prayer. The need to protect the flock instilled a fierce loyalty and a willingness to fight for what was entrusted to him. Plus, maybe those long hours provided time to hone his musical skills.

David's time as a shepherd wasn't a detour on his way to greatness; it was essential to it. His work was forming him, shaping him, and preparing him for a destiny he couldn't yet fully grasp.

So, here's my encouragement: Ask yourself "What is my work doing to me?" And let the Lord answer.

Let's not just work for a living, but live for a working transformation. Invite God into your workplace, into your tasks, into your interactions. Watch as He reshapes you into the person He created you to be.

The question isn't just about making a living; it's about making a life that reflects Christ. And that journey begins with a simple, honest question: "Lord, how is my work shaping me today?" Ask Jesus to shape you – not into someone who worries about success, but into someone who reflects His heart. In the end, that's the kind of formation that really matters.

That's what we were made for.

Smith, James K. A. You Are What You Love: The Spiritual Power of Habit. Grand Rapids, Michigan, Brazos Press, a Division of Baker Publishing Group, 2016.

1.