day 410: The Journey Is Worth It

Some of the happiest people I know are the people who have a job where the work is done each day and at the end of the day there isn't much to stress about. But, most jobs are not so tidy and there is usually something to be done in the longer term so that the work becomes a bit of a journey from here to there. This is where we learn endurance and perseverance. It is also where we learn to plan, pace, sequence and bring the work in on time. Some people become masters at this. Others struggle, but make it happen. And there are those who never quite get it right and go through their work career careening to get things delivered. There is a skill in being able to manage and work on something for an extended amount of time and do so with the same energy level and commitment at the end as when the work was started. Those who can do this earn the respect and the confidence of the people making work assignments and tend to get more and more put on their plate. Consequently, they grow in both stature and rewards. So, we need to know, learn and remember that inside the journey is the real work and completing the journey is what you are expected to do. The story of Eliezer in Genesis 24 is one from which we can learn. He was sent by Abraham to find a wife for Isaac. His task involved a journey, commitment and faith to find completion. He prayed along the way a prayer that we should all pray as we go about our work; "Help me to accomplish the purpose of my journey". You may be at the beginning, the middle or near the end of your own work journey. Wherever you are, do not lose faith or energy. Instead call upon God for Him to help you accomplish the purpose. Like He did Eliezer, He will bring you to the right well and be there for you to complete the task and finish the journey.

Reference: Genesis 24:12 (New Living Testament)

day 320: Watercooler Talk

The watercooler buzzes on Monday mornings to catch up on the weekend activities and also when something has happened at work that everyone wants to discuss. It's almost like a tractor-beam that gets us up out of our chair and pulls us towards the place where we gather to drink coffee, eat and share a story or two. It's hard in those moments to not get sucked into the gossip and what can turn out to be not-so-kind words about others. We all have experienced the feeling of being somewhere we shouldn't be, and sometimes the watercooler takes on that characteristic. We all know the people who are there at every chance and they fuel the conversation and become known for spreading the news. Unfortunately, people love to hear the negatives and these people are the carriers of the negative sentiments and sometimes hurtful words about others. We don't want to be one of those people. The Bible has so many great stories that take place around a well that it would be good for us to revisit some of those in the Old and New Testament to reset how we think about what conversation and what can happen around our own watercoolers. You can read in the book of Genesis Chapter 24 an example of how a well yielded a wife for Isaac because the right conversation with the right people occurred at their watercooler. Let us take the opportunity to turn our own wells, springs and watercoolers into a place of positive and uplifting conversations. And if we can't, then let's not be seen hanging out at the watercooler literally or metaphorically.

Reference: Genesis Chapter 24

day 211: Right Moves?

I get a chance to meet lots of people and hear their work and career stories. One aspect of the stories that I always find interesting and intriguing are the tales and decisions on why someone would relocate for one job over another. There is a new best-seller out right now written just on this subject, titled "Reloville". I myself have moved nine times for work relocations. I have a friend who has moved 21 times in his career (nearly half of those with a wife and kids). Each time we move, we start all over with a new set of friends, new community and services, new church, new house, new schools, just about everything new. And each time, there is some moment along the way when there is a time of doubt about whether or not it was the right move. Like any big decision, there comes that time when you wonder, "did I make the right move?" Big changes like relocations require much thought, consideration, discussion and prayer. There are so many moving pieces that it takes the time of weeks and months to settle and to know for sure that the right decision was reached. In the case of my last move it was not until around the two year mark that my wife and I became settled and happy with the move. Even though the job was good, the social life and development of friends and activities were slow to develop. All decisions are made with the best available information and knowledge and when all of that had been gained, we take a leap. If we are believers and we have asked God to help direct and bless our decision, then the leap is a leap of faith and we trust that God will make it all work out for us. I reflect on the faith of the Biblical forefathers and thank God that we are not required to be literally like some of them in their moments of decision. We take before God our decisions like relocation. Abraham had to take before God the decision to follow what he heard from God and sacrifice his son Isaac. It is in James that we are reminded that Abraham was seen as right with God because of his unwavering faith. James 2:21-22 say: "Don't you remember that our ancestor Abraham was declared right with God because of what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see, he was trusting God so much that he was willing to do whatever God told him to do. His faith was made complete by what he did - by his actions." God has all the right moves for us. Sometimes it will be big moves, like a work relocation. Other times it will be smaller decisions and actions that we are to take. Regardless, He gives us the right moves if we turn them over to Him. Today, you may be facing both big and small moves. You want them to be the right ones and the only guarantee that you can have is if you have invited God to be a part of the decision-making and ultimately to be the decision-giver. Let your faith be tested today and let God be the one who moves you in the right direction.

Reference: James 2:21-22 (New Living Testament)

day 52: God's Workers

So many times we feel like in order to do God’s work we have to be called to leave our jobs and go into ministry. And because we thnk this, we can feel unfulfilled in our work. I was reading a section of Blackaby’s Experiencing God and he points out that if you catalog some of the great people of the Bible, you will see that they were workers and through their work God used them to do great things in His name and glory.

Take a look:

-Abraham (Genesis 24:35
-Isaac (Genesis 26:12-14)
-Jacob (Genesis 30:43)
-Joseph (Genesis 41:37-57)
-Moses (Exodus 3:1-6)
-Elisha (1 Kings 19:19-21)
-Amos (Amos 7:14)
-Jesus the Carpenter
-The Apostles (Mark 1:16-20, Mark 2:14)
-Joseph of Arithmea (Mark 15:42-43; John 19:38)
-Lydia (Acts 16:14-15)
-Aquila and Priscilla (Acts 18:1-2)

If you doubt at all if God can use you in your work to do great things for Him, then doubt no more. You have been trained to understand people, economics, what products and services people want and desire, leadership, and teamwork. What a great piece of clay you are for His molding. As you go to work today, remember you may be the next worker that God taps to do something marvelous.