Through the Narrow Gate: Picking Up Glass

Aside from the shock and confusion, the number one question people ask after I tell them I quit my job as a lawyer to become a pig farmer is . . . that seems like a lot of work?

I was contemplating this question while sitting in chicken sh*t picking broken glass out of the dirt and gravel this afternoon. The previous tenants were not the best stewards of God’s creation. We are turning the former junk pile into parking spaces and don’t want anyone stepping on glass or other sharp objects.

The question assumes that the goal of work is to get paid. Therefore, if you are smart you will maximize your earnings while minimizing the amount worked because we all have a limited capacity for “work” and without money you will likely starve.

This logical conclusion, however, has a theological problem.

Again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.

Matthew 19:24

The theological problem arises from the motivation for work.

If your motivation for work is simply to get paid, you may run into problems.

However, in Swineherd Philosophy 101 I stated: “I want to be able to stop randomly, at any time of the day, and be able to immediately know that I am doing what I am doing in order to bring glory to God.” 

If you are doing what you are doing in order to bring glory to God, you are worshipping, not working. And our capacity for worship is significantly greater than our capacity to work.

Sitting there picking up broken glass, or when battling blackberries and poison oak, or when feeding pigs in 25 degree weather with a wintry mix pelting my face, I’m not working . . . I’m worshiping God by raising our Glory to God Hogs and preparing this spot of God’s creation for people to enjoy and connect with the Creator.