Examining Vocation and True Rest with Carmen Imes

What kind of work has God called us to do, and how can we do this work without overdoing it? As we live and move in a culture that tilts toward workaholism, we need a renewed vision for God-oriented vocation and true rest.
This week on The Digital Examen, host Jay Y. Kim welcomes Dr. Carmen Imes, associate professor of Old Testament at Biola University. She offers paradigm-shifting insights on what it truly means to be human by redefining vocation as a whole-life endeavor and reforming our often lackadaisical understandings of rest.
Through this conversation, Imes invites us to view our vocations as a shared stewardship of the world as God’s image-bearers, joining in his steadfast work of maintaining order and beauty in our own communities.
Tune in to reflect on a life of purposeful contribution to human flourishing that is grounded in God’s loving collaboration with us.
Download a reflective guide to The Examen (www.ivpress.com/Media/Default....
This episode highlights the following themes:
✅ A biblical understanding of work, vocation, and identity
✅ The physical and spiritual significance of practicing Sabbath
✅ Disentangling self-worth from professional achievements
Links from this episode:
✅ Learn more about Dr. Carmen Imes (www.biola.edu/directory/peopl...)
✅ Read Being God’s Image (www.ivpress.com/being-god-s-i...) by Dr. Imes
✅ Enroll in Dr. Imes’s free course on Exodus from the BibleProject (bibleproject.com/classroom/ov...)
✅ Check out Dr. Imes's CZcams Channel ( / @carmenjoyimesphd )
✅ Read Dr. Imes’s blog posts (carmenjoyimes.blogspot.com)
✅ Read the transcript (drive.google.com/file/d/1IUSv...)
The world is full of noise. Many are exhausted by the cacophony and chaos of the modern, digital age, where peace is scarce and self-reflection is infrequent. In “The Digital Examen”, a new podcast from IVP, author and pastor Jay Y. Kim converses with a variety of leaders, pastors, and scholars who are working to reorient their lives in the direction of listening, tuning their hearts and minds to hear the voice of God in all of its clarity, kindness, and strength.
Learn more about your host, Jay Y. Kim (jaykimthinks.com)
Read Analog Church (www.ivpress.com/analog-church) and Analog Christian (www.ivpress.com/analog-christian) by Jay Y. Kim
Links and Credits
✅ Special offer: Visit www.ivpress.com and use the code IVPOD25 for 25% off any IVP resource mentioned in this episode.
✅ Producers: Helen Lee ( ivpress.com/helen-lee ), Travis Albritton, and Andrew Bronson
✅ Sound Engineering: Honest Podcasts (honestpodcasts.com)
✅ Social Media Manager: Allie Noble
✅ Production Assistants: Christine Pelliccio and Isis Toldson
✅ Podcast Art: Kate Lillard
✅ Theme Song: "For They Will Inherit the Earth" by Stephen Keech
==== Time Stamps ====
00:00 - Introduction
02:22 - About Dr. Carmen Imes
04:46 - Interpretation of human as God's image clarified
07:39 - Embracing paradigm shift to value our bodies
13:31 - Reflect on work's value and identity ties
16:50 - Biblical work ethic involves maintaining order, stewardship
18:25 - S-E-W ministry as an example of meaningful, unpaid work
24:27 - Sabbath, work, rest, vocation, pleasure, biblical vision
27:22 - Resting in God's provision and surrender
29:41 - God provides rest, not 24/7 work
32:37 - Invested in stocks, email control transforms work
36:07 - Technology causing chronic anxiety, advocate for unplugging
41:58 - God's singular address to Moses affirms identity
45:23 - Encouraging conversation on living into God's rest
Disclaimer: The comments, views, and opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the host and/or the guests featured on the podcast and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of InterVarsity Press or InterVarsity Christian Fellowship.