Pastor's Corner

July, 2004

Are you tired of work? I would like to share with you something I’ve read to lighten you up (in part): Yes, I’m tired. For several years, I’ve been blaming it on middle age, iron poor blood, lack of vitamins, air pollution, water pollution . . . and a dozen other maladies that make your wonder if life is really worth living. But now I find out . . . I’m tired because I’m overworked. The population of this country is over 200 million. Eighty-four million are retired. That leaves 116 million to do the work. There are 75 million in school, which leaves 41 million to do the work. Of this total, there are 22 million employed by the government. That leaves 19 million to do the work. Take away the total of 14,800,000 people who work for the state and city governments and that leaves 200,000 to do the work. There are 188,000 in hospitals, so that leaves 12,000 to do the work. Now there are 11,988 people in prisons. That leaves just 2 people to do the work. You and me. And you’re standing there reading this. No wonder I’m tired.

On a more serious note, we need to learn how to relax and enjoy what we do. Otherwise, negativism about your job will be too dreadful to overcome. I had a rare opportunity to speak before a senior/junior class in a public high school about “Being successful.” During the Q/A time, someone asked, “How you do motivate yourself?” My answer was, “Our natural inclination is to do as little as possible. Therefore, diligence is a learned experience. I believe everybody has a ‘hot-button.’ If we can find our hot-button, then we can be self-motivated.” For Christians, we too have our unique “hot-button,” but there is a common “hot-button.” The Bible says, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.” (Col. 3:23) The context is that Paul encouraged the slaves, the kind of job no one desires, to work with all their hearts, and to do the despicable work as if they were working for God. Do you know what it implies? It means that in God’s sight, there is no despicable work. Maybe the outlook of work would change if you change your attitude, and who knows, you may even find some degree of fulfillment after you change your attitude.

We are not living in a dream world. The reality is that your best just isn’t good enough at times. Your demanding manager may not be satisfied with your performance, but at least you feel good about yourself. This world is cold!

Before I sign off, I have good news for you: God doesn’t grade you on a curve. For what you can’t do—saving yourself from the penalty of Sin—He has done it for you. All you have to do is to believe Him. And for those who have accepted Christ as your Personal Savior, remember that God doesn’t measure your success by how you perform.