That's Why They Call It Work

Daily Reading: Ecclesiastes 2

There is nothing better for a person than that he should ... find enjoyment in his toil. (Ecclesiastes 2.24)

Devotional Thought: I have two different friends in Michigan who have "retired" from engineering jobs, but who continue to work on engineering projects.  They cite several reasons for doing so, but the main reason is "I enjoy it!" 

Liz Ryan in Forbes (December 20, 2016), writes: "The worst business lie of all in my view is, 'It's not supposed to be fun -- that's why they call it work!' ... If work is not supposed to be fun, then work is supposed to be unpleasant -- either boring, arduous or annoying in some other way... That's not true, of course. The highest point we can reach in a job is to love the job so much you would do the job for free.”

Solomon, the wise author of Ecclesiastes, agreed.  Though frustrated with his own lack of meaning in life - I considered all that my hands had done and the toil I had expended in doing it, and behold, all was vanity... (verse 11) - he concluded that finding enjoyment in work is one of the greatest things a person can find.  Options were limited in Solomon's day, but that did not prevent him from urging people to find enjoyment in their work.

Have you found enjoyment in your work?  How can you do so?  Take your cues from the Bible:

·       Work as unto the Lord (Ephesians 6.7).

·       Learn contentment (Philippians 4.11).

·       Find what fits you (Acts 26.14).

·       Be grateful for your work (2 Samuel 7.18).

·       Value your co-workers (Philippians 1.3-5, 2.3-7).

Work is supposed to be fun.  May you find enjoyment in your work.

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for the work you have given me to do - both my job and my life's purpose.  Help me to do all things as unto the Lord and thus find satisfaction in my labors.  Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 10.12-15

12 Arise, O Lord; O God, lift up your hand; forget not the afflicted.

13 Why does the wicked renounce God and say in his heart, “You will not call to account”?

14 But you do see, for you note mischief and vexation, that you may take it into your hands; to you the helpless commits himself; you have been the helper of the fatherless.

15 Break the arm of the wicked and evildoer; call his wickedness to account till you find none.