 We shouldn’t be idle, depending on others to take care of us. 1 Thes 5:14. But many consider their work being a drag. Could work be less painful?
What are some attributes that would make work more fulfilling? Our work shouldn’t focus on our own fulfillment. Many work solely for their own fame or increasing their possession. Self-centeredness would bring a lot of pain. Don’t use work to define ourselves, such as I am an engineer, a painter, a housemaid, a housewife, or a preacher. If we let our profession define our meaning of existence or our identity, work would become our idol, burning us out. The movie Chariots of Fire contrasts the attitudes of two British runners in the 1924 Olympics. Harold Abrahams won the 100 meter dash. He said when he ran, he had “10 lonely seconds to justify my existence.” He also said, “I’ve never known it [contentment]. I’m forever in pursuit and I don’t even know what I am chasing.” Our status and our identity should not depend on how well we have done our work. Our identity is from being God’s wonderful children, based on what Christ has done for us. God embraces us because of Christ, not our work. The other runner, Eric Liddell, won the 400 meter dash. He said, “I believe God made me for a purpose … but he also made me fast. And when I run I feel His pleasure.” Running didn’t define him. After winning the Olympics, he left England to be a missionary in China. Our work should fit us, using what God has given us. But if God calls us to do something that doesn’t seem to fit, just do it. He will supply the necessary power. Sincerely try our best, giving 100%, to do our work. Work to please God, to appreciate what He has done for us. 1 Thes 4:1. Work to honor God, or at least, not to bring shame to God’s name. Finally, work to address needs around us, serving and benefiting others. 1 Thes 4:9-12. Work to bring human flourishing, as an expression of our love. Summarized from a Tim Keller sermon https://gospelinlife.com/downloads/work-6449/ 我们的工作可会给我们快乐吗？ 我们不应懶闲着，依靠别人来照养我们（ 1帖5:14）。但是许多人认为他们的工作很烦累。工作可以没有那么痛苦吗？ 什么的特性可使工作更为满足？ 我们的工作不应专注于自己的成就感。许多人为了自己的名声或增加财富而工作。以自我为中心的会带来很多痛苦。 不要用工作来定义自己，例如我是工程师，画家，女仆，家庭主妇或传教士。如果让职业定义我们的身份或存在的意义，那么工作将成为我们的偶像，浪费我们一生。 电影 “Chariot of Fire”中描述了两名在1924年奥运会的英国运动员的态度。Harold Abrahams赢得了100米短跑。他说，当他跑步时，“我用寂寞的10秒钟来证明我存在的价值。”他还说：“我从没有满足的感觉。我永远在追求，但不知道自己在追逐什么。” 我们的地位和身份不应该取决于我们做得如何。我们的身份是来自成为上帝的孩子, 根据基督为我们所做的一切。上帝珍爱我们因为基督, 而不是因为我们的职业。 另一位选手Eric Liddell赢得了400米短跑。他说：“我相信上帝做我有祂的目的 … 但祂也使我跑得非常快。当我跑步时，我感到祂的高兴。” 跑步并没有定义他。夺冠之后他离开了英国，到中国传教。 我们的工作应该适合我们，利用上帝所赐给我们的才能。但是如果上帝呼召我们去做一些好像不太适合我们的事情，那都去做。 祂将提供必要的力量。 真诚地努力, 付出100％, 做我们的事情。 让我们所做的事取悦上帝，感激祂为我们所做的一切 （帖撒罗尼迦前书 4：1）。 让我们所做的事荣耀上帝。 或者至少，不导致上帝的名字蒙羞。 让我们所做的事满足我们周围的需求，为他人服务, 并使他人受益（帖撒罗尼迦前书 4：9-12）。努力使人类蓬勃发展，以此表达我们的爱。 Comments are closed.
|