What is Avodah?

Avodah is a unique word as it has three meanings. It is an ancient Hebrew word used often in the Old Testament which refers to 'work', 'prayer' and 'service' all at the same time. Avodah seemed a fitting word for what I wanted my career in massage therapy to be like. Being a remedial massage therapist is my profession, but my professional life is inseparable from who I am as an individual. This means I don't separate my religious convictions and principals from who I am when I show up to work. Essentially, I don't hide the fact that I am a religious person, as Christ said, you wouldn't put a lamp under a bushel. Religion for me is not a hobby to practice strictly on Sundays, it is the ultimate foundation of my life. 
My approach to business is rooted in the belief that the everyday work we do carries profound meaning. I want to serve my community in a wholesome, honest, dedicated way, and at the same time be able to see divine splendour in ordinary, everyday tasks. This is similar to what St. Thérèse of Lisieux called her 'little way'.
I want to be great at my work, at helping people, I want my work to bring glory to God, and that means being able to show up at work authentically and unapologetically as a deeply faithful individual.
​This doesn't mean there is anything religious involved in my treatments, it just means I don't feel the need to fracture my identity or be covert about my faith. 
​I was inspired to pursue this integrated way of living by one of my favourite authors, G K Chesterton. Chesterton rejected the modern idea of separating a person's faith from their daily activities, politics, or professional career, believing instead that a persons faith should intimately connect everything they do. 
I think this can be well summarised in the word 'Avodah'. 
My work is inseparable from who I am as a person, as is my faith. St Paul said in Colossians "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters". Remedial massage is my way of being of service to my community, but its also my way of serving God through the act of serving my community. It's interconnected. 

I respect every individual who walks through my door for who they are, as they are, all I ask is for the same respect to be granted to me and who I am; a mackerel snapping, devil dodging , left footed Papist. (✿◠‿◠)