day 450: Working Hard To Relieve A Burden

Funny how most people don't mind working hard for something that will be of gain for themselves, but when it comes to working hard to help someone else, well, the emotions seems to shift a bit and reluctance rears its head. Call it what you will, I think it is also just in our human nature. Maybe it is our selfishness, but it is pretty evident that we will go well above and beyond for the things that will benefit us directly. We tend to shift our motivation when others ask us to help them out or to take some of the load off of them. I would like to think that we could all come from a place of others first and ourselves second but let's be honest, it takes us stopping and thinking about it and being very committed and mindful to do this consistently. How much better our work places would be if we could make this shift. Imagine if the day started with people looking for ways to lessen the burden of others before they took care of their own needs? These would be companies where everyone would want to work and I suspect they wouldn't have to push too hard to be on top of all the best places to work lists. This is an area where we as believers who are working to a purpose of bringing glory to God in our work can make a real difference each day. If we can shift our thinking and attitude to putting others first, we can be the beginning of what might just catch on with others. If we need an example, look no further than what Paul, Silas and Timothy said in 2 Thessalonians 3:8; "...We worked hard day and night so that we would not be a burden to any of you." They knew that they would not be accepted or respected to the level that others would follow them if they added onto their burdens. Instead they removed the burden and assured that others recognized this as well. What can we do so that others who we work with know that we are not people who add to others burdens or only watch out for ourselves? What can we do today so that others see that we are people who put others first and are not afraid to work hard to relieve the burdens of the others around us? It is in this attitude and approach to our work that the example of who we follow can shine through.

Reference: 2 Thessalonians 3:8 (New Living Testament)