Therefore, be imitators of God as beloved children. (Ephesians 5:1)

One of the most overlooked ways to glorify God is through imitation. And yet, as image-bearers of God, we have countless opportunities to imitate our Heavenly Father.

Imitation is a particularly powerful opportunity for our work. Too many Christians think their work doesn’t matter to God — he’s only concerned about “spiritual” stuff. At Redemption, we strongly reject that notion, insisting that all of life (including work) is all for Jesus.

Whether you’re a lawyer, mother, teacher, truck driver, caretaker, or salesperson, you have many opportunities to glorify God by imitating him in your work.

Here are 26 ways that we can imitate God in our work.

ADVISING
Sharing wisdom for real-life situations

CARE
Providing tangible love, especially to those in pain

COMMUNICATING
Exchanging information

CREATIVITY
Generating new ideas, products, services, or approaches

FAITHFULNESS
Demonstrating loyalty and dependability over time

GENEROSITY
Giving of resources or time to bless others

INITIATING
Causing action to begin

INTELLIGENCE
Using knowledge and skill in smart ways

INTERDEPENDENCE
Relying on others

JUSTICE
Pursuing what is righteous and good

LONG-TERM THINKING
Planning for long-term rather than short-term gain

MAINTAINING
To enable something to successfully continue

MERCY
Offering kindness to those hurting or undeserving

ORDER
Organizing resources in a way that is beautiful and/or makes sense

PROBLEM-SOLVING
Identifying effective ways to overcome obstacles

PRODUCTIVITY
Leveraging energy and resources to get more done

PROTECTION
Keeping people or resources safe from harm, especially when vulnerable

RESTORING
Helping people or things regain their purpose and/or design

RELATIONSHIP BUILDING
Forging connections between people

RESOURCING
Providing the necessary tools to accomplish important things

RESPONSIBILITY
Demonstrating sovereignty over some area of life

SERVING
Doing what others need or appreciate

SKILL
Applying talent and wisdom with excellence

STEWARDSHIP
Managing resources responsibly

TEACHING
Passing on important information or lessons

TRUTHFULNESS
Dealing honestly, even at cost to yourself