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Date: 31 Aug 2006 18:54:46
From: Jim
Subject: as the bean is to coffee, work is to success
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The Critical Role of Work
God is good. I don't mean that He is simply nice or very holy or always
right no matter what. It's true that God is very kind, always holy and pure
in motive, and never wrong in His decision-making. But God is also truly
good in that He always does what He does for our benefit -- for your
benefit, and mine.
My point? We must never blame God for the unhappiness we bring into our own
lives. He provides us with all the tools we need for basic happiness -- even
in this world where things are never going to be perfect.
For example, He's given every human being a terrific brain. He's also given
us physical bodies capable of interacting with the world around us. And He's
give us deep-seated desires and abilities that literally drive us toward a
meaningful and fulfilling life.
Granted, we may misuse our brain, training it to focus on useless things.
And we don't always use our body as we should. Sometimes we cater to selfish
and purely physical appetites instead of the deeper desires -- the drives
placed in our hearts by the Creator. But none of this is God's fault.
So let's not blame God for misery we bring on ourselves. If we neglect the
sound wisdom offered to us in the Bible (God's proven manual for both
temporal and eternal success in life) then we only have ourselves to blame.
If we waste our time, our abilties, our minds and bodies, then God is not to
blame.
But why waste our time thinking about blame, anyway? Blaming does not move
us any closer to happiness or solving any of the problems we may face in
life. What we need is proper action that is rooted in correct thinking.
Are you unhappy with your life? Do you hate your job, your days of empty
existence, your progress, so far, in life? Give some thought, then, to the
critical role of work.
Work is Necessary
An important fact of life: Real and measurable success in life is rooted in
meaningful work.
Too many of us think of work strictly as a means to a paycheck. We know that
we need money in order to get along in life, and so we start looking for
something we can do to get some money.
Such errors in our thinking often leads to many other mistakes, and to
decades of misery, frustration and even crippling illnesses. We end up
thinking that "the right thing to do" is always going to be less fulfilling
and pleasurable than "what we really want" in life. This can result in a
life of bitter determination to always do the right thing, no matter what.
It can also lead to a life spent running from responsibility.
Work is Happiness
Work is central to human happiness. Human beings must work in order to be
satisfied with life. We must do productive and meaningful things with our
time, our hands, our minds, our hearts. We must have a reason to get up
every day.
We must turn our thinking around. We can start by asking simple questions —
questions that may actually change our entire lives.
Am I doing something meaningful with my days? Is the work that I'm doing
ethical, morally worthwhile — the right thing to do? Why do I do the kind of
work I do? Is there something I could be doing that would be closer to who
and what I really am inside?
Work is Life
In every human society the people must serve a function. In most cases, that
function includes some kind of physical and/or mental labor. We may wash
clothes for a living, or sing songs, or try to educate children. And in just
about every kind of human society, some jobs are valued above other jobs,
and that value may not be logical or even right.
Most of the jobs that need doing are easily classified as ethically and
morally positive. We feed people. We help to provide them with clothing. We
paint their houses or offices. We help to organize and administer local or
regional government. We help to maintain the safety and freedom of our
community or nation.
Work is an Expression
But what does the work we do say about us as people? If I fry burgers all
day in order to pay for a small apartment, does that say something about me?
What if I fly commercial jets or drive a bus or own a taxi? Or what if I
help to run a large bank, turning farmers and other small business owners
away all day — men and women who are struggling to make ends meet?
I'm not going to tell you what kind of work you should be doing. Only God
can do that as you make your way through life, seeking His direction and
help. But I will tell you that you may have more options that you think.
What Would You Do?
Here's a couple more questions to ponder:
1. If income (and survival) was not an issue, what kind of work would you
choose to do?
2. Time passes quickly. In ten years, what kind of work do you hope to be
doing?
3. What can you do today that will help you reach whatever you answered for
questions one and/or two?
Spend some time on these questions. Don't stop thinking about them until you
have solid (practical) answers to all three of them.
God bless you as you move forward in life.
©2006 Jim Sutton
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success is opportunity understood:
www.123basics.com/help/acres_of_diamonds.htm
free 2007 calendar: www.jimsgraphix.com
publish a small newspaper: www.newspaper-info.com
does you life need fixing? http://123basics.com/help/fixlife.htm
Christian faith: www.goodwordusa.org
free Christian graphics: www.gospelgifs.com
more free Christian graphics: http://www.christart.com
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Date: 31 Aug 2006 19:25:43
From: hazchem
Subject: Re: as the bean is to coffee, work is to success
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That's all very well and good, but can this so-called 'god' of yours
make me a good doppio ristretto?
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