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Genesis 2:15 “The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.”

Think

When people think about heaven, many imagine an endless vacation. Hammocks on clouds, floating through a soft-lit eternity with nothing much to do. While that image might sound relaxing at first, it begins to feel a little empty the longer you sit with it. The truth is, we weren’t created to do nothing. We were created for meaningful purpose—and that does not stop at heaven’s door.

Genesis 2:15 gives us a glimpse of God’s design before sin ever entered the picture. “The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.” In a perfect world, God gave humanity a role. He didn’t just give Adam scenery to enjoy. He gave him a garden to cultivate. Work was not a punishment—it was part of the plan.

That tells us something profound: purposeful work is not a result of the fall. It’s not the curse. The sweat and toil we feel now? That’s from sin. But the concept of creating, building, tending, exploring—those are part of what it means to bear God’s image. God is a Creator, a Sustainer, a Worker. And since we reflect him, we are built with the desire to accomplish, to contribute, to participate in something meaningful.

Think about the moments in life when you’ve felt most alive. Often it’s not when you’ve been at complete rest, but when you’ve been deeply engaged. When you lost track of time doing something you were made to do. Whether it was painting, teaching, organizing, building, solving a problem, or helping someone in need—those moments feel right because they connect to how we were made. Heaven will be filled with that kind of joy. Not the joy of escape, but the joy of engaging without any of the brokenness that makes work here difficult.

It’s like a musician who finally gets to play without hitting a wrong note, or an architect who finally sees every detail come together without delay. Imagine pursuing your gifts without fear of failure or exhaustion. Imagine doing what you were made to do, in the presence of the One who made you, with perfect clarity, freedom, and satisfaction. That’s purpose. That’s heaven.

Here on earth, our work is often tangled up in all kinds of pressure. Deadlines, disappointment, competition, pride. Sometimes it’s boring. Sometimes it’s chaotic. Sometimes it feels pointless. But that’s not because purpose itself is flawed—it’s because sin has distorted it. In heaven, purpose will be fully restored.

Imagine a painter who finally has every color available and no limit to their canvas. Or a leader who can guide without fear of ego or control. Or a parent who can nurture without anxiety or exhaustion. Multiply that across every personality and gift—designers, problem-solvers, caregivers, visionaries. Heaven is not going to be filled with people lounging forever. It’s going to be full of people alive in what they were created to do, worshiping through the way they serve, build, and create.

One helpful way to think about it is this: heaven isn’t the end of your story. It’s the continuation of everything good God started in you. He doesn’t waste your gifts. He doesn't dismiss your passions. They’re not temporary quirks. They are eternal fingerprints of your Creator. And they don’t disappear after this life. They flourish.

That may shift how you see your work today. If you’re in a season where your job feels meaningless or exhausting, you’re not alone. But take heart. Every act of faithfulness, even the unnoticed ones, matters. Because in Christ, our labor is never in vain. And every task done with love—whether at a desk, in a kitchen, at a hospital, in a classroom, or on a job site—can echo into eternity. Not because of the job itself, but because of the heart behind it.

Think of it like this: you are in training for eternity. Every moment you choose to show up when it’s hard, every time you choose integrity over ease, every time you serve someone else, you’re practicing for the world to come. God is shaping you now for the purpose you’ll walk in forever.

This is not about earning anything. It’s about seeing life the way God sees it. With eternity in mind. With the knowledge that what we do now isn’t wasted. It’s preparation. It’s worship.

It also means we won’t all be doing the same thing in heaven. Just like God gives different gifts to each of us now, heaven will reflect that diversity in full color. Some will create, others will explore. Some will build, others will guide. But all of it will be full of joy, beauty, and meaning. No comparison. No jealousy. Just perfect harmony.

So if you’ve ever feared that heaven would be boring or slow, think again. God, in his creativity, has something prepared for you that aligns with the way he wired you. And that purpose will not be hindered by time, insecurity, or failure. It will be whole. And it will be forever.

Apply

As you move through your responsibilities today—at home, at work, or wherever life takes you—pause and ask, “How can I approach this with purpose?” Whether it’s helping a coworker, serving a family member, or doing a task well, let it be a small preview of heaven’s kind of work: joyful, free, and for the glory of God.

Pray

God, thank you for creating me with purpose. I forget sometimes that my work can reflect your character. Remind me that you designed me to build, serve, and contribute in ways that point to you. Help me to do what I can with what I have today, and to look forward to the day when I’ll step into the fullness of that purpose in your presence. In Jesus’ name. Amen.