Work it Out.
“Late night, come home. Work sucks, I know.” –Blink 182, “All The Small Things”
I work at a restaurant full-time. Sometimes, it’s amazing. Sometimes, it’s completely awful. Some days I have the most satisfied guests. Other times, my guests are needy and demanding. I realize that whatever happens, I must go on and work it out, whether I enjoy it or not.
“I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live. That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil—this is the gift of God.” Ecclesiastes 3:12
There are days when I love my job. These are the days I praise the Lord for because I know they are from Him. Other days are more challenging and I realize that the Lord is calling me to work even harder.
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” Colossians 3:23-24
I was reminded of this recently one busy evening at the restaurant.
My eyes were downward. I was very discouraged and feeling extremely underappreciated and unsupported by my boss.
Another server met me in the middle of my whiny complaint.
“It’s a SERVING job!” she said with a ‘What’s the big-deal?’ look on her face.
I quickly defended my sore outlook, “Yea, but it’s my job! Managers should care about me! At ANY job, managers should care about their employees!”
She looked at me like I was crazy. She shook her head, put her arm around my shoulders and gave me a little coaching. She said, “Girl, you gotta bring it yourself! Everyday I say to myself, ‘Today, I’m gonna be the best server these guests have ever seen! I’m gonna be the best server this whole place has ever seen!”
I nodded and thought to myself, “I used to be like that at the very beginning, but something has happened in me. It’s not as easy as it used to be.”
She whispered, “God knows your heart and He cares about how you do your job! He’s watching and He sees more than these managers do! He cares for you!”
She reminded me that the Lord knows me and that He cares about things that other people may never notice about me. I had completely forgotten that! At that moment, I could have fallen over with joy as a peace and calmness overtook me. I knew that she was telling me the truth and I needed so desperately to hear it! I finished that night at work with a completely changed perspective.
Everyday, I drive past a beautiful field with an old barn in it with big bold letters across the side: TO GOD BE ALL GLORY.
The barn and beautiful field both remind me that whatever we do, we are to do the best we can because it is all for Him.
Questions:
1. Name just a few of the areas in life where you struggle with giving your all. 2. What are some of the causes behind these struggles and where do they come from? 3. How do these struggles either help or hinder your growth? 4. Can you remember some of the times when the Lord reminded you of His gracious love and concern for you whether at school, work, or at home? 5. What was your response?
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1. Name just a few of the areas in life where you struggle with giving your all.
I am not a person to be satisfied with the work I do - I always feel there is more to accomplish or put into it. I would say at my job I am that way, in my marriage I am that way, in relationships, in blogs, in yardwork, etc. I don’t see it as a bad struggle - but a good one - always seeking to be better - even if I fail at it - I fail. I get up - try again and again.
2. What are some of the causes behind these struggles and where do they come from?
It’s about wanting to be the best you can be - as for content in life as I am (and I am) - there is always the thought I can do something a little better or more creatively. Again, that’s not really a struggle but more of a quest.
3. How do these struggles either help or hinder your growth?
I would say they are good in that they push me to think more about my life and what i can do differently - find improvements. The part that can be bad is when I over-think and start to get into judging myself too harshly concerning some issue…that when I need to take a deep breath, make amends if needed, and put my hand to the plow (literally in yardwork).
4. Can you remember some of the times when the Lord reminded you of His gracious love and concern for you whether at school, work, or at home?
I base everything I do these days on the idea God is love - so may whole theology and outlook on life rests on this premise. I just bought a house - and that was a very trying time for me - we had to go through one week of desperate uncertainty about a house we really, really wanted. I prayed about it and trusted God concerning it - and it took me from points of desperation and no hope to exulting in joy.
5. What was your response?
I guess I learned - there is God and I need not take Him for advantage. Also to be happy about what God has allowed me to have in life - it’s quite a lot - and being thankful for those things - including being a first time home-owner.
Societyvs– hey there! Yay for answering all of the questions! I like how you mentioned that you always feel that there is room to grow, and I think that that is a good attitude to have and will lead to continual improvement and growth– just a willingness and an openness to be shaped. I was intrigued with your statement about always keeping in mind that God is Love and I wanted to hear more about your thoughts on that. Also- congrats on being a home-owner! That is fabulous!
“I was intrigued with your statement about always keeping in mind that God is Love and I wanted to hear more about your thoughts on that” (Jen)
I think I my focus on who God is is simply the idead God loves humans - as a first and foremost thought when I approach God (or theology). It’s the basis for everything when I look at my friendship w/God - it exists because God loves me as a person, cares about my situations, and in turn - has me believing this is so with all other people I meet and know.
Societyvs-
Hey Friend- So, when I read your last sentence it seemed to me that you believe that everyone you meet has the same concern and care for you as God does. Is that so? Or are you saying that God has the same care and concern for all of us…no matter who we are? Tell me more! :)
“So, when I read your last sentence it seemed to me that you believe that everyone you meet has the same concern and care for you as God does. Is that so? Or are you saying that God has the same care and concern for all of us…no matter who we are? Tell me more! :)” (Jen)
My last sentence reflects a dual teaching I hold about the ‘God of love’.
(a) God loves us – no matter who we are and where we are at – because God loves and hopes the best for humanity. God met us as sinners – and that was a move God made towards us – into a territory of relational compromise (God not liking sin and all).
(b) God has taught me to love – and that reflects onto the way I treat others. Namely, people deserve to be treated in a loving manner – with genuine concern – so that they can realize they are worthwhile and meaningful.
I think once someone is moved by God – it is bound to move one to be more loving – and by this you will know it was God ‘they will know we are Christians by our love’.
Any movement away from love for others is likely to be a movement from selfish human motives – for either control or ego - not godly in makeup and essence. This is where there seems to be the biggest battle that rages in the Christian heart and realm – placing our motives in the correct positions.
Thank you for telling me more of your thoughts, Societyvs!
I like this post. I really like the bible verses. Also, this site looks great from the last time I saw it months ago.