Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Work (07/27/06)
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TITLE: Blessing Or Curse | Previous Challenge Entry
By Angela Joseph
08/03/06 -
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Contrary to popular belief, work did not begin after Adam and Eve sinned. God had given Adam the task of naming all the beasts of the field, birds and livestock long before he and Eve ate the forbidden fruit. Adam had to use his brains to come up with suitable names for all these creatures, and the Bible tells us that whatever he called them, God accepted it. When one considers there may be over ten million species of animals in the tropical rain forest alone, God must have kept Adam pretty busy. He couldn’t lounge near the brook all day, or take two-hour lunch breaks. However his labor intensified after he sinned and changed the whole concept of work.
For many people work has become a four letter word to be despised, a necessary evil, a means to pay the bills. Especially when the person is not doing something he/she enjoys. For others it is the elixir of their lives. I know of one doctor who became depressed after he retired. He had always lead a full life and work had become the pivot of his existence, so when he could no longer work he felt lost, rudderless. Today he is in hospital trying to cope with his depression and find a reason for living. He is not alone. Some people die right after their retirement.
What is it about work that keeps us virile and motivated? Is it the physical demands that work places on the body? Is it the fact that we feel useful and needed? Is it because we have a reason to wake up in the morning? Someone said the bad thing about retirement is that you can never take a day off. Or is it the mental stimulation we give and receive from others as part of an organization working toward a common goal? Whatever the reason, statistics show a positive association between work and longevity, whether it be paid work or volunteering.Researchers at the University of Michigan discovered that seniors who volunteered at least 40 hours each year lived longer than their counterparts who did not. By volunteering, these senior citizens do not only help themselves but help others by giving of their time, talent and experience
This does not mean that all work is fulfilling, or that one should push one’s body way beyond its limit. There are still too many people who are overworked and underpaid. In today’s economy many seniors are retiring and going back to work, some out of necessity, others because they miss that part of their lives. I believe that people should be able to enjoy their golden years without the stress of having to wake to an alarm clock or muscle their way through traffic day after day.
But whether you are a new grad or a baby boomer, work does not have to be a curse. You can build wealth, gain valuable knowledge and experience while adding years and meaning to your life if you approach work with a positive attitude and godly principles. Ephesians 6 :5-7 says, “Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but like slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men” (NIV). If we dedicate our work to Him, and try to please Him in everything, then our working days can be fulfilling regardless of the type of environment in which we find ourselves.
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