Monday, March 06, 2006

The Job I Love Doing and Loving the Job I’m Doing

Hmmm, is there much of a difference in the following two statements: “the job I love doing”, and “loving the job I’m doing”?

I believe there is a significant difference in these seemingly similar statements. Let me explain….

The Job I Love Doing
The job I love doing is, in my eyes, being able to do something that gives ME pleasure, fulfillment, satisfaction. It is truly “I” centered (this is regardless of how beneficial it is to others). I choose the role, job position, career, and/or vocation that gives me such positive reinforcements and such.

When I am at the job/tasks that I love doing it shows, I’m “in the zone” and utilizing the giftings and talents I have to the best of my abilities and in a very true sense, it is easy, and it is fun!

If I loved to fish, than perhaps a vocation as a fisherman in Alaska or somewhere would fall in this category. Sure, the job has it’s difficulties and dangers but perhaps such things also are part of the pleasure and “fun” that I dig.

On the other-side of this then, would be understanding when I’m in a job I don’t love or that I hate....all those good feelings are gone and I’m definitely out of kilter. Sounds okay so far? If I am someone who dislikes math (okay, I HATE math), then if I were to chose a job as an accountant or auditor or similar, we could only imagine how I would behave and the manners I would express. I’d be miserable and I’d probably bring others down with me.

Loving the Job I’m Doing
So what does this look like? Regardless of my personal preference or natural talent for a job, I do whatever is before me with a heart toward accomplishing it to the best of my ability AND with the best of attitudes. Not an easy thing, and there are times when doing such a task we want this “cup of suffering” to pass from us (now, by no means am I trying to trvialize what Christ felt in the garden or what He accomplished for us on the cross….).

To be Christ-like (Christian) we need to follow up such dreadful work sediments with, “not my will, but Your will be done”. And follow on that with the heartfelt and externally expressed understanding that we do not work for “man” but we are to work at all things as if we are serving God.

Also reflect on those times when we were called to do something (by our own needs or at the instruction of others) that we disliked, yet either over time, we got better at doing it, or the outcome was so good and pleasing, the struggle and “pain” was worth it.

So the next time I find myself hating the job I’m doing, I’ll need to read this again, send out a “breath prayer” and recognize the need to love the job I’m doing because the job I love doing is pleasing God.

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