It has been said that hard work never killed
anyone, yet I have yet to find any volunteers to find out if that statement is
true. Yet we all think we work hard, or at least harder than anyone else. We
find that we somehow suffer the lessers at our jobs, and put up with them
despite our obviously gifted talents, and we could do more if only they weren’t
there to hold us back. These are found in comments of” you’ll never guess what
happened at work today,” or “they’re still doing it, I cannot believe why they
put up with it?” Translation is they make too much, I don’t make enough, and if
I were in charge, things would definitely be different around here. Which is
probably why you are not. But back to hard work, no one thinks they don’t work
hard. Look at my calluses, my headaches, my stress. Look at my paycheck!
Isn’t a zero missing on it? So we go on trying to impress someone, anyone who
will watch of how hard we work. Never realizing that the stress of trying to
work hard was killing them anyway.
When I was a Service Advisor at MBSD, there were
17 of us in our shiny, glass walled offices. We could shut the door and keep
the noise out, but being four walls of glass, all eyes could be on us, and
usually were. To some it was like watching a train wreck, somehow you just
can’t look away. For others it was look how beautiful my office is, please
don’t come in and mess it up. I work for Mercedes Benz and you don’t.
Different personalities would breed different paranoias, you figure. But my
office was organized, and I kept my helmet and gloves in plain view to remind me
of why I was there, and what I was working towards-the rewards of hard work.
Yet hard work didn’t seem to be the answer, for you were limited by hours, and
some would stay late, or come in on Saturdays. But when Robert, a lead tech who
worked a later shift observed when walking the hall behind the offices that all
the others were a mess, against Herr Penske’s rules, but mine was organized and
neat. And I wrote more business than anyone, what’s up? And so I explained to
him that I try to work smart. I leave myself with a clean desk when I leave, so
I have the new day’s problems to deal with, not yesterdays. And although I
spend more waking hours at work than with my family, we all do, I work so I can
go home to them every night. My job wasn’t the most important thing in my life,
although the paycheck many times was. I had other interests, a family, a
church, and a God who I rather be with, so I spent my time at work working smart
instead of hard. And I produced more, had less stress, made more money, and
went home on time every night. Sounds simple doesn’t it?
What it took was a commitment, and the desire to
follow God first, then let the others be prioritized. And it still works
today. But you must be able to let your pride take the day off, and follow God
to make it work. I was asked once to teach at a chapter I used to be active in,
and leapt at the chance. But when reminded that another Mike may be out there
just waiting to have the chance, I declined. And was blessed, it was the right
thing, and we all were blessed. Doing the right thing, God’s thing, and God’s
way-what a novel thought! And yet we work hard instead, and still call Him
Lord, but we are only subservient to ourselves, and our own
desires.
A forward to me today reminded me that it is not
us who saves, but Jesus. We are just the messengers, which I have been telling
others for years. And while the audience gets smaller, I find that many
churches are cognizant of that, but go about it all wrong. They work hard
instead of working in the spirit-smart. I was once part of the next generation,
and we were told who would God lift up for our generation? And I see many today
forsaking the old, advertising for the new, and there is no one to lead. So
they work harder, stress more, and love less. Which they would never admit to.
Yet when confronted with the reality of how we are to make disciples, we think
shouting on the street corner His name is the right thing to do. Discipled
means disciplined, or meekness, which is power under control. Your power under
God’s control, and His power under yours-in love. Doing the right thing
although others would sound ok, working smart! Ministering smart! So as I
watch others being taught, and all age groups coming together, I see growth, and
God provides it. Whereas I see others changing names, eliminating service, and
focusing on a certain age group and the church failing. People should not be
invited to church, we are the church. We should take it to whoever God puts in
our path, not seek for what committees, groups, church boards, or pastors
desire. Jesus taught in the tabernacle, but ministered on the street. And in
homes, and to friends and strangers. Even to people who ride, have tattoos, and
vote Republican! Can we?
Are you a disciple of Jesus Christ? Do you want
to be? Are you willing to be taught, instead of teaching? The closer I get to
God, the more I find I need Him. Sin stinks more, I find I know less and need
to lean on Him more. My church is more important to me, as the fellowship gives
me strength. And included in all this I find I am being discipled, and able to
disciple others. I desire to equip others to equip others in prisoner
ministries, to those in need, and most importantly to my family. Which blesses
me in a way no hard work ever could. Working harder and enjoying it less? Try
God’s way, and enjoy the work He has set before you. It may give you more time
to spend with family, to relax, to ride, and to do the things you want to do
other than sleep late from exhaustion. Busy workers are not necessarily
productive or happy. Holy means happy, and brings happiness. So try it God’s
way, trust Him. Better to do one thing He asks than many that feed the ego.
Pride will always go before the fall. And in spring, winter, and summer too. A
perennial that keeps on exacting from us, not bearing fruit. So work as a team
as God directs. The farmer who seeded the land moves on to another field. Then
those who tend to it move to another field. And yet another group harvests it.
Each one doing as needed, but not doing each other’s assignment. Try that with
God. And find time for all the things that really matter. A clean desk doesn’t
have to be the sign of a disturbed mind. Hard work may not kill you, who wants
to be the first to find out?
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com