Work « Journeyman Journal

Haven’t Worked a Day Since January

Wednesday, April 14th, 2010

I’ve been at my new “job” now for a little over three months, but I haven’t blogged much about it. That’s mainly because it doesn’t feel like work. I was at lunch yesterday with a friend from Visa who is struggling with a decision about job options (both within and outside of Visa). She was asking my advice and all I could say was that she should find something that she truly loved…at almost any cost.

This is no original idea/concept. Confucius said it best…

Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.

I can honestly say that I haven’t worked a day since January 1st of this year. I’ve been plenty busy…but it hasn’t been work. Why? Because I love it and it’s what God has called me to do. I’m not even sure which part is most responsible…the doing what I love or following God’s leading (they are very interrelated!). I just know I’m doing what I’m supposed to be doing and I have the blessing of loving every second of it.

Has it all been rosy? No. Has it all been fun and games? Of course not.

But it hasn’t been “work” either.

So, I stand behind Confucius’ advice and I take a little poetic license and tag on a little something extra: “Chose a job you love and that God has called you to, and you will never have to work a day in your life.” I am blessed. I know it. And I thank and praise Him for it every day!!

14.04.2010 Ministry, New Pastor Journal, Soap Box No Comments

Which One Are You?

Wednesday, March 4th, 2009

I heard a good comment on the radio yesterday that was directed toward business, but i think it applies to life in general. I can’t even remember who said it (so i should probably be taking credit for it myself right?), but it stuck with me and the more I think about it the more true I think it is.

He said that in business there are two types of people:

Complicators: These people make your life more difficult. You should rid yourself of these people as quickly as possible. They are not worth the trouble.
Simplifiers: These people make your life more simple. You should reward these people and seek them out with everything you have. They are worth their weight in gold.

As I apply this principle to my workplace I see a lot of truth here. But I started thinking beyond work and it applies in life as well. People either complicate your life or they make it more simple…and we can all name people in both categories!

Of course, it’s easy to look at others. Much harder to point that mirror at yourself.

I like to think I am a simplifier…but I can’t say for sure. Is this one of those self-evaluations that you can really be honest about? Would anyone say, “Yep…I’m a complicator!”? And it would take real guts to ask people to honestly evaluate you.

So…which do you think you are (at work and in life)?

And yes…I’m going to ask…which do you think I am? Let the comments fly!

04.03.2009 Leadership, Misc Ramblings, Work 1 Comment

A Fresh Perspective

Wednesday, February 4th, 2009

I don’t know about you, but I don’t exactly look forward to getting up everyday and heading into work. And I almost like my job! It’s just that I can think of about a million+ things I would rather be doing with that time and energy. I also know that God has other plans for the future (He just hasn’t revealed those plans yet). That makes it even harder at times to get up early and make the trek into work. And sometimes work just seems so…what’s the word…pointless—at least from a “big picture” sort of way.

With all this in mind…enter God’s Word:

Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you
were working for the Lord rather than for people.
Colossians 3:23, NLT

Ugh! Really God? Work willingly? Now that’s just meddling!

This was the passage from my devotional this morning and it’s something I definitely need to work on. Here are a few quotes from this morning’s readings (and my comments):

As believers, we often see our work as an interference in our lives of faith. We would enjoy our lives more without it.

Can I get an AMEN to that one? Guilty as charged…have even been thinking about playing the lottery. Unfortunately, he didn’t stop there…

God has not placed us where we are simply for the output we can produce…Our work is in Him, even if it’s entirely secular in our minds. We are there because God wants to put godliness on display for others to see. He wants to infiltrate the culture we work in.

Now there is a fresh perspective and it puts my entire day in a new light. It also makes me question how well I have been putting “godliness on display” in the culture I work in. I think I would probably give myself a C+. But I will be working on it going forward. I have a feeling God will be working on this part of my life and attitude for awhile.

04.02.2009 Devotional, Spiritual Musings, Work No Comments

A Looong Day…

Wednesday, September 17th, 2008

I had a code install that started late last night. It started last night at about 11pm (that’s when I went back into work) and I was expecting/hoping that it would be over sometime around 6 or 7am this morning.

::INSERT ANOYING BUZZING SOUND HERE::

I actually left work at about 1:30 pm this afternoon…after being up for about 44 hours straight. Like I sai, it was a long night. I got about 5 hours of sleep when I got home…but I still feel like I got run over by a train…and I look like it to.

Here’s what I looked like “before”:

And me “after”:

Looks like I really need to get some sleep!

17.09.2008 Misc Ramblings, Work 2 Comments

A Little Reminder

Wednesday, June 18th, 2008

This has been a crazy, busy week! This math class I started has consumed a lot of time and thought processes just to keep my head above water (but I’m determined not to drown). Work hasn’t been much easier this past week either with a major project of mine taking some serious hits…requiring even more thought processes and causing plenty of stress.

So blogging has taken a slight back-seat this week…but I haven’t gone anywhere! And in the midst of all this chaos, stress, and workload God has been very close. And I couldn’t be more thankful! I am learning (slowly) to turn to Him in these times instead of turning to my false idols…the things I used to turn to when things got rough.

And He has come through in spades! This morning He gave me gentle reminder of just how much He loves me and how much He has done for me already…

Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down.
   And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God,
a punishment for his own sins!
But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins.
   He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed.
All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own.
   Yet the Lord laid on him the sins of us all.
Isaiah 53:4-6, NLT

What more can I say besides:

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!

I think that says it.

18.06.2008 God's Love, Jesus, School, Spiritual Musings, Work 1 Comment

I Need a Vacation

Monday, June 2nd, 2008

Ever been that place? Where you just need a vacation…need to get away…need some actual rest? I’m not talking about the kind of vacation where you need a vacation once you get back. I’m talking about an honest to goodness respite…actual rest…actual relaxation. We all need it. God designed us that way.

Here’s the problem: I don’t think I’m getting one any time soon. The summer schedule is too busy and school starts up next week (thought it was this week, but apparently the school had an inaccurate calendar). Mostly I need a vacation from the “everyday” and the “mundane”. I like my work, but I need a break from it before I start hating it. I love my home life, but I need to get away a little so I can appreciate it a little more.

Anita needs the break too. Summer break is no break for her. It’s just different work, different hastles. We all need a break at times. Doesn’t have to be long, but we really need it. I am juts praying that Anita and I get one before too long. I’m praying for something I’m not even aware of now. A break in the clouds. It can’t come a minute too soon.

02.06.2008 Misc Ramblings 1 Comment