A Good Word Wednesday #111 WORK
A little bit of help, hope and goodness for you each Wednesday
“Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.” Proverbs 12:25
GOOD WORD OF THE DAY: WORK
We just celebrated Labor Day. It is a holiday created to honor workers in our country. Many of us celebrated by not laboring at our regular jobs. I noticed that many in my neighborhood were mowing and weeding their yards and sweeping leaves from the curb. It was work, but a different kind of work.
What did you do to mark the day? Rest or Work?
Work is not a bad word. It’s not punishment. In fact, before Adam and Eve were sent away from the Garden, God commissioned Adam to name the animals and tend to the Garden. (See the reference below.) It was good and holy work.
My husband, Johnny, retired almost two years ago from his engineering job of nearly 36 years. He loves his time now to do what he wants and be more involved in the lives of our children and grandchildren. He has time to volunteer at church and to do needed work projects in our home. People ask me how I’m enjoying retired life. I pause before I answer that because writing every week and promoting a book and researching the next one, feels an awful lot like real work. Maybe not a regular paycheck. But still regular work. I continue this work because it’s more of a calling than employment. I can’t separate this work of writing from who I am as a person. Do you consider your work a calling?
Whether we have employment or not, we all thrive when we live with a purpose. As followers of Jesus, we all share a calling. He has commissioned us all to share His message with the world. It’s work that we don’t retire from. We continue to see the unseen, listen to them and share with them the best news ever. How have you done that lately?
WEDNESDAY IN THE WORD
“The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.” Genesis 2:15
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” Colossians 3:23
“May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us— yes, establish the work of our hands.” Psalms 90:17
SHARE YOUR GOOD WORDS
Good Question(s) of the Week: How does your work bring you fulfillment? Why do you do the work you do?
Photo: She Is Safe
GOOD FOR YOU
I have some resources for you that I think you will find helpful and inspire you to live life better. They are all free on my website. I will highlight one or two each week for you. Click below for the link:
Add some music to your life. I’ve created a playlist to encourage you and enhance your reading of Unseen People. Listen to it and download for free it on Spotify. Enjoy it while you work, or not work:
On the cover of the Unseen People Study Guide are these words: Inspire. Sharpen. Encourage. Those words describe what I hope your study through the book will do. If you haven’t already, download this free resource here: Unseen People Study Guide
GOOD WORDS FROM YOU
This is what people are saying about Unseen People:
“This is a story of hope, and redemption and one of learning that you are precious in the sight of God. My heart was encouraged to know that it’s ok to slow down and take time to notice the people around you. It’s good to give a listening ear to those who need to be heard. Maybe we are the ones needing to be heard and encouraged. We live in such a fast-paced culture that we feel guilty when we are not constantly doing something. We are convinced that we need to be busy doing, when in reality, we need to take the time to choose as Mary did, to sit with Jesus and learn of him. It’s in these times that we are empowered to touch the lives of others just as the author in this book has done with her life. You will be encouraged throughout the pages of this book.”
GOOD WORDS I RECOMMEND
A Good Book: Every Good Endeavor, Connecting Your Work to God's Work, Timothy Keller
Another Good Book: The Call: Finding and Fulfilling God's Purpose For Your Life, Os Guinness
A Good Song/Video: Do Something, Matthew West
A Good Blog: This I Why I’m Here
A FINAL GOOD WORD
I remember this lyric from the chorus of a hymn we sang when I was growing up in the Baptist church:
We'll work till Jesus comes, We'll work till Jesus comes,
We'll work till Jesus comes, And we'll be gathered home.
That sounds tedious and exhausting. But the truth here is that we always have good work to do. In all we do, we are to shine like lights in a dark world and point others to hope in Christ. That’s my prayer for all of us this week.
Thank you for reading these words. I’m deeply honored to share this time with you each week.
This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: “Write in a book all the words I have spoken to you.” Jeremiah 30:2
Gratefully yours,
