Hi, welcome to Redeem the Commute. I’m Ryan, your host for the daily challenges.

Our daily challenges are meant to help you explore what it means to follow Jesus, even if you don’t have a lot of time. We have a rhythm that keeps us in sync, even if we’re not a community that meets together in person regularly. Every Monday we introduce the week’s idea. Every Tuesday we study it in the Bible. Every Wednesday we see how that challenges and transforms our thinking on the topic. Thursdays we try to apply and live it out. Friday is a day for prayer and reflection before we take a rest on Saturday, and Sundays we meet together with others in community.

Our series right now is called “We Are”. It follows on two other series – “God Is…” and “Jesus Is…”. Our attention now turns to us, human beings, and what knowing God and following Jesus actually means for our lives.

One of the most exciting aspects of learning to live as a follower of Jesus is the realization that we are invited to join with God in doing real work.

In the 17th century, St. Paul’s Cathedral in London was being rebuilt after a fire, designed by a great Architect, Sir Christopher Wren. A team of visitors was touring the construction in progress, and kept stopping to ask workers what they were doing. Various workers answered…”I’m digging a hole, obviously. I’m hauling stones, thank you.”

But a third one answered differently, “I’m helping Sir Christopher Wren build a great cathedral.”

That many had a sense of vision. Even though he played a small part, he knew it was important.

We long to know that our lives have meaning and significance. We want to do meaningful work.

Imagine the credits at the end of a film – they list every person who touched the movie, including the most minor technical jobs at times that most of us have never heard of. But they were part of something bigger than themselves, and it wouldn’t have been the same without them.

Question: What projects have you contributed to in your life? Describe your part – how did it feel to be part of something bigger than yourself?