Jesus said, "Congratulations to the person who has toiled and has found life." (58 Thomas)

We often have very mixed attitudes toward our work-life. It can be an important source of identity, opportunity for creativity, and offer a rich web of relationships.

There are also days when our toil can seem tedious, frustrating, and even soul-sucking. I expect Jesus was referring to both the positive and negative aspects of work.

In the pre-industrial economy work required finding a way to achieve a purpose in the midst of randomness. Most of the work was agricultural. The farmer would work with nature or fail.

Even in most of the trades - textiles, leather, smithing, cooperidge, and such - both supply and demand were unpredictable. One did what one could.

During the last two centuries we have experimented with a very different approach to work: we have attempted to exercise precise control and complete predictability.

We have achieved a great deal. In medicine, engineering, science, and more we have created what our ancestors would consider nothing short of miraculous.

But we have also discovered - or rediscovered - the limits to our control. We have learned that in exercising control we can sometimes squeeze out creativity; in seeking more security we can increase our vulnerability.

In our toil we have come to recognize a reality beyond our control. This reality can be discerned and, if accurately discerned, we may find fulfillment within its domain.

We toil. In our toil we can perceive reality unfolding. In this reality we may even discern the reign of God.