My Avodah

Avodah.

Avodah is the transliteration of the Hebrew words worship and work. Is there a connection? Is worship work? Can work be worship?

In some verses of Scripture, avodah means work, as in to work in the field or to do common labor:

• Exodus 34:21-- "Moses renewing the covenant with God says, "Six days you shall work (avodah)"
• Psalm 104:23--"Then man goes out to his work (avodah), to his labor until evening."

In other verses, Avodah means worship, as in to worship God:

• Joshua 24:15--"but as for me and my house, we will serve (avodah) the Lord."
• Exodus 8:1-- "This is what the LORD says: Let my people go, so that they may worship (avodah) me."

"What a powerful image to think that the word for working in the fields is the same that was used for worshipping the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

The Israelites understood that work could be a way to honor God and neighbor, to serve God and neighbor, and yes, to worship God and serve neighbor. Avodah."

--The Avodah Institute

Taken together, Avodah suggests that our work can be a form or worship where we honor our God and serve our neighbors.

God has given me a passion to write. In my former job as a Worship and Youth Director,  I had plenty of opportunities to put pen to paper and pour my heart out -- it became a sacred time for me.

In the last year since my sweet baby was born, my job title has switched to Mommy, and I haven't had an outlet for these stirrings within me, and frankly, I've missed it.

That is what I hope this blog to be. An sweet offering unto the Lord. A place where my work and worship can be interchangeable.

A place to find the Glorious in the Mundane.

Welcome to my avodah.