As Christians, all of us probably have a scripture that has helped shaped our lives in some way.  The kind of scripture when you think of it helps you get “back on track” in your heart and mind.  This passage from Ecclesiastes has been that for me throughout the years.  Not in the face value interpretation of not working hard in what I am doing, but it has always challenged my attitude in how I do the work.  The best combination is to have a great attitude and work hard with all your might…

As we mature, you realize that our attitude towards what we do, is a good indicator of how willing we are to grow, and expand beyond our current maturation level.  For example, my wife and I challenged our son to look at the subjects in school that he “dislikes”, and to go beyond the work of the subject, to the principle of why he should do it.  That he should do the work with all his might, because it teaches him to be disciplined to the things he doesn’t want to do, but has to do.  But it will hopefully help him be disciplined with a good attitude, in the things he will eventually like and enjoy working hard at too!

But learning how to have a good attitude to work hard where you are, though you may not want to be there, takes maturity.  The place God has us doing our “work” is no accident at all.  In fact it reveals  our maturity or lack of it, when called to serve God in such places.  It’s wasn’t hard for me to enjoy school when we had recess and PE, but to sit down for 45 minutes doing Geometry problems I still have yet to use in my 40’s, seemed like a waste of life.  In other words, I wanted life to be tailored to my maturity level and desires, and God loves us too much to settle for a such a small mindset…

Have you ever wondered why the Lord challenges you to be around people, do a job, or even have family members that keep you uncomfortable, having to constantly work to find some enjoyment in them?  Well that’s the love of God “chastening” or disciplining those He loves.  That when we are done complaining about “why” like my son was, we come to realize it is an opportunity to change.  To grow out of a maturity level that makes everything conform to us and our comforts.  That kind of attitude, generally keeps us from becoming more like Christ in effecting where we are. (Psalm 55:19, 2 Corinthians 3:17-18, Hebrews 12:3-11)

In His Love, Ld