"Job's Worth"

For the first time in my life I've been struggling with the whole "work as unto the Lord" theme; until a year or two ago, I'd always enjoyed my work. Working somewhere you enjoy is just like going out to play, and you'd always breeze through any upsets by knowing you're where you want to be.

Unfortunately, my line of work has become increasingly harder to appreciate or enjoy (shift work is not agreeing with my 'ageing' body like it used to; shift patterns themselves are becoming worse; and I won't bore you with the rest of my gripes... probably wouldn't be particularly gracious to particular parties either, so best avoided :-)) and now I hit the full understanding of what Paul is saying to the church in Colossae (and Laodicea) in his letter:

"Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ" (Colossians 3:23-24)

Driving into work this morning, heart heavy and my mind raging with a myriad of ideas that might help me get out of work - including breaking my leg (I kid you not) - I had to turn off my 'Coheed and Cambria' album and talk to God about what this was doing to my heart and head. It was driving me crazy. And He reminded me of the above Scripture: no matter who I work for, where I work, who I work with, or what I do, if I do it for Him I will find the missing joy; He is my King and when He wants me to move on, He'll pave the way. Until then, I'm where He wants me to be.

I'm still here; 2/3 into my shift and I've not thrown myself down the stairs yet. And I'm still struggling to maintain that Godly attitude. But I'm getting there. I won't be here forever, I know He has other plans for me in the future, but until then I intend to do it His way: not wracked with bitterness, nor as a jobsworth, but knowing my job's WORTH. That's where the adventure unfolds and my heart sings in praise to Him.