I didn't fulfill my education possibilities and will live with that regret probably the rest of my life. Yes ,I have heard every cliched encouragement hallmark card out there. But for the most part of my life , it has been fear that held me back. Strange as that sounds but its true. But at the same time we shouldn't be surprised work will not be totally satisfying .
[18] thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you;
and you shall eat the plants of the field.
[19] By the sweat of your face
you shall eat bread,
till you return to the ground,
for out of it you were taken;
for you are dust,
and to dust you shall return.”
(Genesis 3:17-19 ESV)
After our first parents rebelled , one of the curses was that man shall not labor harmoniously anymore. We will toil till the day we die . Before the fall labor was enjoyable activity , full of productivity and fulfillment . This curse because of sin shows that the relationship has been fractured. That we now have to toil to feed,cloth and shelter our selves .
But lets be honest as well . Even those who have found the dream job , it will still be tiresome and a burden at times.Without it ,one would starve and be homeless. So even if one has a job they love , it will still not be like the garden . Plus lets face it , as we age what we could do at 20 is not what we can do at 60 . So the fall takes its toll even on your favorite vocation.
Very few end up in the job like this. For who says , when I was a little kid I dreamed about standing in this line ,day in day out doing the same things , or pouring coffee for very little money , or cleaning toilets and picking up garbage , well you get the picture. Very few rise up in the morning , running out to the car with a song in their heart as they go to work. Even that is a part of the curse , the result of sin and the fallen creation.
But this is even redeemed in Christ . Work is a good thing . It serves your family,your community and the world, but ultimately it is service rendered to the Lord.
[23] Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, [24] knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.
(Colossians 3:23-24 ESV)
In our jobs , no matter what they may be , we are to do it as unto God. He is our ultimate master . Therefore the service we do is in a real way serving Jesus Christ.Bluntly speaking , this is a lot easier said than done when you are working at a job that is not fulfilling your talents or is a toil . Yes it sounds great to go , this service regardless of how mundane serves my neighbor and the Lord , but in the real world often this is a struggle to fulfill. Even if we are redeemed , the old nature still lingers and in this arena for me at least , I truly struggle.
To covet another job or talent is wrong. But who has not caught themselves doing this. In the Lord's eyes all work has value , but in this fallen world it is hard . I have really struggles in this area. When I see a few going to a vocation they enjoy , that gives them pleasure , its hard for me to not get a bit on a pity parade. Then it turns to a deep melancholy , of why did I not pursue certain things in the past. Did I not have the courage or faith? Perhaps both.
In all my years ,only one task that I did ,was a labor of love . That is it. Every job that I have had was a chore and to be bluntly honest , I hated going to on many days. I would pray that God would give me a bigger picture , but my old nature was at war. Going forward , I can't say what I will be doing will be something that will be something my heart will be into . All I want to do is maximize my earning potential and work for myself . I have had enough of the drama of others in the workforce .
That is why I have been stressing with my boys ,the need to stay in school , pay attention to what you love and what your strengths are. Find your niche and work hard . Yes it will be toil, and some days will be tough , but if it is something you love and pays well, it is easier to fulfill what the word instructs. You may not agree , and that is your right , but even a Christian can struggle with working as unto the Lord in the best of jobs , let alone the ones that are the worst.
2 comments:
I think that Offspring #1 has found his niche. You know that he has, when he's counting down the weeks until school begins. Offspring #2 hasn't yet figured it out. Neither had #1, at the same age and stage in life. So, more prayer and encouragement is needed.
#2 is so talented and creative, it'd knock your socks off. Because he can't see something tangible, like his bro is doing, then he can't see it. He'll figure it out. After all, he is one of the brighter crayons in the box. Plus, he's very much, "no guts no glory".
I've known you now for 25, almost 26, years. It still eats at you. That's why I'm so excited about your new venture. I see you standing taller and feeling less down on yourself.
This is one area in life that is harder on men than women, especially if your talents and dreams lie else where. Remember when we were talking to our dear friend in the grocery store, the other day. His old job sounded cool and exciting. But, he hated it. Now, he's doing what he loves. On a selfish note, we would never have had the privilege of meeting him, if he hadn't changed jobs.
I hope I've never been a discouragement in anything that you've wanted to try to do. It was never my intent. I think that my biggest comfort, in this, is that God is sovereign. Even if it is the last place on Earth we'd like to be, we're there for his purpose and glory.
Quick question. What was the one task, that you did, that was a labour of love? My guess is when the Lord used you to help save my life, after the cancer took it's heavy toll. But, I don't want to be so vain. So, if it's something else, my apologizes for my vanity. Or, it could have been when you were working with the Church.
See, I'm not so vain, after all. Just remember though, it's all your fault that I am that way. You encourager and confidence builder you. I am amazed that you can do that for other people but not listen when they try to do it for you. Something to think about, because I don't make this stuff up. Love you, Mrs Reg
Still need some more work on your profile, Babe. But, it's coming. Love you, Mrs Reg
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