Some of our greatest joy can be found in our vocation, but we must be present to experience it.
So I saw that there is nothing better than that a man should rejoice in his work, for that is his lot. Who can bring him to see what will be after him?
Ecclesiastes 3:22 ESV
Ecclesiastes gives us a brutally honest look at life and the meaninglessness and vanity of it all. Yet a few times it comes back to where we can find joy here, and that is in our work; doing things well, and enjoying the result.
I personally need to be reminded of this regularly, as I have a tendency to always look ahead. I want to solve that next problem, or start the next feature, and I forget to stop and just enjoy the work that I have done.
Our work will not always be easy, we are promised toil and fruitlessness, but that doesn’t mean we need to despair, or try and avoid work. Rather we need to see work for what it is – a way for us to use our gifts and passions to glorify God here, and to provide for our needs and the needs of others too.
When we see work in this light we can find joy – without being crushed by the stress, depressed by the failure, or prideful at the success.
May you find joy in your work this week as you examine the impact you have had, directly and indirectly, and may that empower you as you go forward.
~ Sean
Closed for now ... something new coming soon(ish).