“Work is as much a basic human need as food, beauty, rest, friendship, prayer, and sexuality. Without meaningful work, we sense significant inner loss and emptiness."
-Timothy Keller
Many people misunderstand their true value, either underestimating themselves or inflating their worth. Scripture reminds us that our posture toward work not only reflects our character but also shapes the course of our lives.
Our culture is full of contradictions:
This tension creates a posture problem, which in turn leads to confusion. The problem can only be addressed by reworking the way you value and understand work.
As Tim Keller once wrote:
“Work is as much a basic human need as food, beauty, rest, friendship, prayer, and sexuality. Without meaningful work, we sense significant inner loss and emptiness.”
In other words, work isn’t the problem. Our posture toward it is.
From the beginning, God designed work as a valuable act of worship. Adam was placed in Eden “to work it and keep it” (Genesis 2:15). Work was never meant as punishment, but as participation in God’s creation.
Paul echoes this idea in Colossians 3:23:
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.”
Your creativity, whether through design, writing, photography, branding, or anything else, is not a side hustle to your faith. Work is not the identity of your life; it is a tool you have been given to love your neighbor.
But here’s where things often get distorted: we tie our value to results.
The marketplace tends to reward performance and visibility. It’s easy to buy into the idea that:
But scripture tells a different story:
“God created man in His own image.” (Genesis 1:27)
Your value precedes your productivity. It isn’t earned. It’s inherited.
When we believe our worth is tied to performance, it creates a fragile identity—one where success inflates our ego and failure crushes our spirit. When we rest in God’s affirmation, we can approach even the smallest task with dignity and joy, seeing it as an extension of who we already are, image-bearers called to serve and glorify Him.
Modern culture offers two extremes:
Both lead to burnout. Both distort the sacredness of work.
When your identity is tied to your achievements, no amount of success ever feels like enough. You’re always chasing. Always anxious. Always comparing.
At Slingshot, we help creatives understand how real people go through change—and what holds them back. Through the Abundant Work System, we have repeatedly seen that change doesn’t come through pressure. It comes through posture.
Stage 2 of the system is called Inspire. And here’s what it teaches:
Before people (you included) act, they need to see a better future—and believe it’s possible.
That might mean:
Just like Moses shepherded sheep before leading people, your current gig may be shaping your character for something greater. Proximity to the Lord propels your career outlook.
Here’s a practical reframe from Tim Keller that can change your posture:
“How, with my existing abilities and opportunities, can I be of greatest service to other people, knowing what I do of God’s will and of human need?”
That one question shifts your posture:
Your current posture toward work is shaping your future more than you realize.
A posture rooted in hustle leads to exhaustion and anxiety.
A posture rooted in humility, service, and faith leads to freedom and joy.
Even the smallest task can become sacred when done in love and purpose.
You’re not behind. You’re not broken.
You’re invited to reframe the way you show up to your work—not just for productivity, but for peace.
If you’re a young creative feeling lost or unsure, here’s the truth:
At Slingshot, we help creatives do just that. We don’t use hype or hand you someone else’s blueprint. We help you build systems that fit you—rooted in behavioral science, buyer psychology, and biblical truth.