The gig economy affects everyone and everything. It’s the new normal and it matters.
But as I’ve been sharing over the past few weeks, it’s not all that it’s cracked up to be. The seven lies of the gig economy all hold a critical role in the way that you see yourself, but they are not the way to see yourself because they all come up short.
They’re incomplete precisely because they’re half-truths. As a result, there are unintended consequences behind each and every one of them.
This is why you can’t let any of these lies become the primary lens through which you view yourself, and also why we’re so particularly vulnerable to these lies.
Living according to the lies of the gig economy is like living in chains.
It’s tiring.
It’s a grind and a hustle just to try and keep up. And it’s actually a fool’s game because you will never feel caught up.
However, following Jesus leads to freedom because following him is a decision to follow the truth. It’s a decision to walk out of darkness and into the light.
He said it himself: “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6), and “anyone who lives by the truth comes to the light” (John 3:21).
It’s fascinating how Jesus addressed the lies of his culture.
In the Sermon on the Mount, he would point out the lies and half-truths by saying, “You have heard it was said…” and then he would respond with the truth, “But I tell you…”
- “You have heard that it was said to our ancestors, Do not murder, and whoever murders will be subject to judgment. But I tell you, everyone who is angry with his brother or sister will be subject to judgment.” (Matt 5:21-22)
- “You have heard that it was said, Do not commit adultery. But I tell you, everyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” (Matt 5:27-28)
- “You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. But I tell you, don’t resist an evildoer. On the contrary, if anyone slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.” (Matt 5:38-39)
- “You have heard that it was said, Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven.” (Matt 5:43-45)
and on and on he would teach…
What if, 2000 years later, we followed the ancient ways of Jesus and taught and interacted with our culture in the same manner?
Where, using the lies and the corresponding truth from my book, You Are What You Do: And Six Other Lies about Work, Life, and Love, we say:
- You heard it was said, “You are what you do,” but I say to you “You are a child of God.” (John 1:12)
- You heard it was said, “You are what you experience,” but I say to you, “You are a new creation” (2 Cor 5:17)
- You heard it was said, “You are who you know,” but I say to you, “You are known by our loving Savior, Jesus” (John 10:27)
- You heard it was said, “You are what you own,” but I say to you, “You are complete in Jesus” (Col 2:9-10)
- You heard it was said, “You are who you raise,” but I say to you, “You are God’s masterpiece” (Eph 2:10)
- You heard it was said, “You are your past,” but I say to you, “you are free from all condemnation in Christ Jesus” (Rom 8:1-2).
This is the truth on the other side of these lies.
And when our culture sees this and hears the truth as we share it with gentleness and respect (1 Pet 3:16), their status will change from slave to child.
From enslaved to free.
From no inheritance to full inheritance.
From worker to heir.
And from being defined by what they do, what they experience, who they know, what they know, what they own, who they raise, and their past, to being defined by what Jesus has done for them.
Essentially, from ashes to beauty.
What an opportunity to present the truth of the gospel.
To learn more about each of these lies and the truth on the other side, pick up a copy of my new book, You Are What You Do: And Six Other Lies about Work, Life, and Love.