Work becomes more fully spiritual when it touches both the giver and receiver in these ways. Work of this kind has purpose beyond the paycheck, beyond work tasks being ends in themselves. Work of this kind truly serves, supports, brings joy. When this happens, and even better when we become aware that it is happening or has happened, an important vital and mysterious spiritual connection is forged between personal fulfillment and making a contribution to the greater social good. Work, and its meaning for us, transcends the individual, the merely personal.
Meaning is found that goes to the core and depth of our being.
Meaning is found that satisfies, renews and sustains. Frederick Buechner has described that when this core and depth is struck, our deep gladness and the world's deep hunger meet. If we do not consider that our work has a spiritual dimension, perhaps it is because we do not view work from a spiritual perspective. Perhaps we try to separate life into the two spheres, one sacred and one secular with no overlap, with no integration. Perhaps we seldom view our work or life as sacred because our daily tasks seem so routine, dehumanized and dehumanizing, so minute, so unnecessary, that we see nothing of value in them for ourselves or others beyond the activity or the paycheck.