The other Six Days

I've been busy at work this year. In fact, this year more than any other, I have been more aware of why and for what I work and how I act and behave at work.

There's nothing noble about being busy per se. But I've found something worthwhile in work that has been created since the time I was at university and has blossomed as I revisit Ecclesiastes, Proverbs and the NT Gospel that makes sense of this thing that God has made: work. That something is honouring and thanking God in work.

Personally, this two-pronged approach to work simplifies things and makes work fall within my worldview (a Christian one) neatly. So I can conscientiously say I have a Christian attitude when it comes to work.

Because the aims for work and the aims for life are one and the same, I don't have to forget God in the other Six Days of my week. These Six Days are not literal, but find themselves in all shapes and forms in the different lives that you lead. In my life, it means early mornings, or late nights, driving out west, up north, critical care or cruising to the sound of the anaesthetic machine, patient counselling or leaving them alone, working as a team or helping out a colleague. Honouring God, by working faithfully, diligently, excellently, honestly, efficiently and by being a friendly, trustworthy, cheerful and generous worker or colleague, this is most important for me and I hope it is the same for my Christian brothers and sisters.

The workplace is where most of us have the most time, effort, energy to exhibit godliness and attract others to the Good News that saves us; if we don't do it there, we miss a great opportunity to lead others to thanksgiving or praise for God. The LORD is Lord of all, all of the week and all of the heart, mind soul and strength of our beings. This is actually the key to fulfillment in our lives; you must live it out in the knowledge of the God of the NT in order to know what it feels like.

That's why I like mondays.

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I feel that this blog can be balanced by another one on our lives at home. Another related topic is Secular vs. Christian work: what is the difference, or is there a false dichotomy?

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This note was inspired by several facebook notes by a friend from whom I have been blocked (?) or at least I cannot access. Sorry I cannot link this to them, which would have added flavour to this entry.