Colin Habberton:- This House Pt. 21 : Flourishing in Exile, Pt. 1: Faith & Work: The Call to Work https://drive.google.com/file/d/1q1Tg3CZJxxEKCNPLmQuxA6BU_WHA4Dut/view?usp=sharing Explores "The Church and the World" through the lens of work, comparing the biblical progression from "The Garden" (Genesis 1–3) to "The Garden City" (Revelation 21 & 22).2 The Unique Planet: It notes the uniqueness of Earth, describing it as a "Garden Planet" with optimal conditions (liquid water, breathable atmosphere, plate tectonics, and a stabilizing moon) that make it the only known world with confirmed living organisms.3 Definitions and Core Principles of Work Contrasting Definitions: The document contrasts Studs Terkel's view of work as a source of "daily humiliations" and physical/spiritual violence with Tim Keller’s definition: "Rearranging the raw materials of God's creation to help the world and its people thrive and flourish".4 Core Principles (via Tim Keller): Faithfully Crafted (Melakhah): God modeled work first, making it inherently good and giving all secular jobs the same divine dignity as religious ministry.5 Worship and Service (Avodah): The Hebrew word covers work, worship, and service, establishing careers as acts of devotion aimed at loving neighbors and serving the common good.6 Priestly Stewardship (Shamar): Humans are called to guard, cultivate, and bring order to creation rather than exploit it, unlocking the hidden beauty of the world.7 Underpinned by Rest: Work gives meaning but is not an idol for ultimate identity; regular Sabbath rest is required to maintain health and dependence on God.8 Application to "Our City" (Cape Town) City Profile: Cape Town has a population of 5 million people (1.4 million households), was established in 1652 as a colonial supply station, contains over 3,350 indigenous species within its borders, and is predominantly Christian (80+%).9 Alignment with the Garden City: The city exhibits an interweaving of city and nature, serving as a hub of earthly biodiversity, a convergence of landscape and culture, and a gathering place of nations.10 Tensions/Realities: The presentation highlights a tension between the ideal and reality, noting the need for socio-economic justice, restorative action, peacebuilding, violence prevention, youth mentorship, active reconciliation, and spatial integration.11 Final Reflections (Your Garden) The document concludes with six reflective questions regarding an individual's personal work and spiritual practice:12 Purpose: Identifying what brings joy and what feels like toil if life is viewed as a garden.13 Co-Working: Discerning the personal meaning of the Genesis 1:28 garden mandate.14 Role: Understanding what it means to be a steward and feeling called to it.15 Responsibility: Discerning what to "weed" and what to "seed" in one's calling.16 Season: Recognizing the current phase of one's personal garden (seeking, weeding, seeding, or reaping).17 Practice: Assessing the cultivated rhythms used to connect with God, seek His purpose, and maintain faith.18
