Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

Oikonomia

Home
Business, Finance and Religion
Music Box: A Parable on Finding Joy at Work (and in Life)

Music Box: A Parable on Finding Joy at Work (and in Life)

Last updated on: February 10, 2016 at 1:56 pm by Acton Institute

Music Box: A Parable on Finding Joy at Work (and in Life) 2016-02-10T13:56:50-04:00 Acton Institute

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

By Joseph Sunde

When struggling with work that wounds — work that is “cross-bearing, self-denying, and life-sacrificing,” as Lester DeKoster describes it — we can content ourselves by remembering that God is with us in the workplace. Whether we know it or not, our work has meaning.

These are powerful truths, but God has not left us with mere head knowledge and philosophical upgrades. When we give our lives to Christ and choose a path of transformation and obedience, the fruits of the Spirit manifest in real and tangible ways, despite our circumstances. We find meaning, but we also experience peace, patience, and joy, even when it doesn’t make sense.

In Music Box, a classic Christian film from the early 1980s, we see an apt demonstration of this. The joy of the Lord is not some abstract happy feeling. It is, indeed, our strength, and it empowers us in real and noticeable ways through the application of mind to hands and hands to creative service. The Gospel breathes new life, even into the most dark and plodding situations.

Watch it here:

In the film, we see a tired and moping man who lives a life of drudgery at a factory, followed by plenty of misery and disconnect at home. The solution? On his way home from work, he stumbles upon a mysterious music box that triggers a chorus of angels. God reminds him of the gift of Jesus — a lesson that sets the man on a path of newfound joy. Though tempted to keep it to himself, God continues to stretch his generosity throughout the film.

In short, he’s awakened to the reality that all is gift.

It’s dated, kitschy, and more than a bit cheesy. Many would shrug it off as a fairly straightforward Gospel message. Yet the Gospel is as simple a solution as our wounding work and family dysfunction requires: the life-transforming, joy-infusing power of the blood of Christ.

musicbox6 “When God gives a gift, he gives it unto you,” the lead angel sings. “Not to keep or store, but spread a joy anew.”

As we pursue stewardship for the glory of God, let’s remember that we need more than a strong theology of work or a grand philosophical framework. All of that is an empty shell without a full-blown invasion of the love of Jesus and the joy of the Lord.

Previous Post

February 8, 2016

Charles Koch’s Metaphysics of Business

Next Post

February 11, 2016 Kitchen Redemption: From Spiritual Hunger to Second Chances

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Art Charity Church Common Grace Culture Curriculum Economics Education Family Justice Order Theology Uncategorized Vocation Wisdom Wonder Work

Select a Month January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What is the "Great Commission" Jesus gave his followers?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Stay hidden Go and make disciples Build a temple Gather riches