Yet, my new job does not allow that at all. For the last month-and-a-half, I have been an employee at a creamery. I am at the bottom again, the newest member of the crew and not given the most respect from some of the crew, all younger than I (my supervisor being almost 10 years younger). But since I have I job, out of many I applied to, I will not complain.
The greatest thing is that this job allows me to be home in the evenings and a chance to relax at the end of the day. I must say that I have not used my time too wisely, but in light of recent events I am changing that. One of the things I can now participate in is our Wednesday evening prayer meetings at church. That has been a challenge to my lazy evenings, and the studies in Ecclesiastes have been amazing!
Last week, I was struck by the personal message I received from the meeting last week, hit me between the eyes: "What is the motive of my effort?"
I knew I took shortcuts at work. I knew that my evenings were filled with laziness-sitting at the lappy and binging on online shows and consuming social-media(aka Facebook). I knew that I had mentally prepared myself to work in a less physical environment, so I can check out sometimes at work. I never stop working, while at work, but I just didn't put the most effort into the task of running milk and putting it into the right order. I never used my skills to the mostest, but I would use them kind of. My focus was on getting the job done, not doing it to the best of my effort.
While at work, I would often think that I was working hard. I mean I was pouring sweat after a few hours, I was completing the tasks, I was working overtime with little complaints, and doing what I thought was my best. I was definitely working for the pleasure of my supervisor and letting him feel that I was doing my best. Looking back however, it was not the case.
This past Wednesday, our pastor was in Florida, our one deacon was ill, and at the last minute our other deacon prepared the session. He said that we shouldn't expect much, but in reality that is when God seems to speak the most. I do not even remember the exact topic of discussion and the true direction of his message to the few of us that gathered, but I know that I took away two verses that will stick with me for a while: Colossians 3:23-24 and James 4:17.
I know this verse is quoted constantly, and while most versions do Colossians justice, the Amplified Bible gives a unique perspective that enforces the message that I am putting forth in this post:
We mentioned this in our service and talked about how our workplace (the marketplace) is the most-often neglected area of effort toward God as opposed to pleasing men. We are coached to please the company, to make sure we follow their rules, to listen to the boss/supervisor. Yet, oftimes we forget that we can go beyond this. As Christians, we are called to actually serve the Lord, above all. Meaning that like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, Azariah, we should do what God desires of us, not just what we are "expected" to at our jobs. Not just because we will be given a reward and blessed for what we do, but rather because we love God and know others are looking to us as an example and reflection of Christ.23 Whatever may be your task, work at it heartily (from the soul), as [something done] for the Lord and not for men,24 Knowing [with all certainty] that it is from the Lord [and not from men] that you will receive the inheritance which is your [real] reward. [The One Whom] you are actually serving [is] the Lord Christ (the Messiah).
I knew this already, but it was the next verse that made me rethink my habits at work (especially the part of taking shortcuts). I know that I still would be tireless, but I would also complain less (on the inside) about the attitude and motives of any of my co-workers that did not seem to be putting the same effort in as I did, I knew what I had to do, I knew that was right, I just wasn't doing that, and I was sadly ok with it. (I mean, I get paid by the hour, right?)
Consider the second verse:
"Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins."
Well, isn't that just a slap in the face to the "know-it-all" self I can be...Seriously, though, this is one of those "amen-ouch" connections that Christians can have, especially if they believe they are living a life that is PERFECTLY acceptable to God as it already is....
Think how this affects the modus operandi, the M.O., the motive, the actions of anyone. If you know the GOOD you ought to do, you must do it, or you are disobeying God. You are doing something that displeases Him, If the thought occurs to you to help someone, but because it will be inconvenient to your "effective and efficient" plans, you do NOT, it is saddens God. It is not enough to know what is good to do, but you must actually act upon the impulse that the Holy Spirit places in our hearts. At work, we must not just work to appease our bosses, but rather make an effort to please God. When we see someone in need, we must offer to assist by any means we can. Just let that sink in, marinate in your mind; God has expectations/standards which he desires us to work toward, but we must follow his commands and love him (Deuteronomy 7:9).
Following in God's Steps and thinking with the servant's heart of Christ is a good way to renew our desire to whole-heartedly work at the tasks in front of us. Daily, Christians are responsible for every action they take, but more importantly for the actions they know they should have taken and yet did not. That is the wisdom I am trying to apply to my life, and I challenge you to do something similar. My challenge started at my workplace; yours can be in another part of the marketplace, but do NOT forget to have following Christ and acting through the guidance of the Holy Spirit as your motive for every single effort.
