Today I want to do a call-out to all of you who feel lost, unfulfilled and dead inside when you approach your work for the day. Each and every day. Some of you have been called lazy. Some have wondered whether or not this is actually true of you, though you may vividly recall a specific time when you were very, very productive. Passionate, even.
What you are struggling with is a lack of motivation, not an intrinsic laziness. What in the blue blazes is the difference, you may be saying out loud, with annoyance. The more task-oriented among us have already clicked away from this blog. Too much to get done, no time for someone to beat around the bush.
I'll tell you what the difference is. When we don't see a point in our efforts, some higher purpose, we QUIT. Nearly all of us. Oh, we may be going through the motions, but we do not excel. We do not flourish. Our primary motivation for doing what we do WELL should be to bring glory to God. And yes, that means cleaning the sink well. So our first task is to draw near to God for the strength to do a better job at everything we put our hands to.
But there is something far deeper at play when we don't want to start our day. We lack PASSION. Did you know that there are people who have a passion for the craft of paper folding? It's called origami. I cracked open a book once, intent on teaching my child how to make works of art from paper. The book was summarily closed for all time after a titanic struggle to make a paper Christmas ornament. Not my gifting.
What you need to do, what you MUST do, is concentrate on the areas in which God has gifted you, and find some work to do which puts those talents on full display. You will lose yourself in such work. You will find a fulfillment rise that has to do with being who you were created to be! You may be in a situation where you cannot find a job which meets such criteria. THAT IS OKAY. Find a volunteer position which does. Or, AND THIS IS NOT BLASPHEMY, carve out time for a hobby which lets you find the free expression of your talents and interests. You know, God enjoys watching you be the you he made you to be. He really does. It's part of the joy He found in making you and then setting you on a path to know Him. Sometimes it's okay to just be who you are. That's part of God's plan too, you know. He already has the world in his capable hands. It's a privilege to join Him in what He is doing. Being who He made you to be is step one. Let every day feature a few moments of doing something you are passionate about. You never know where it might lead. If it only leads to joy, so be it!
You do you. That's what you're called to, and that's what you'll be best at.
What you are struggling with is a lack of motivation, not an intrinsic laziness. What in the blue blazes is the difference, you may be saying out loud, with annoyance. The more task-oriented among us have already clicked away from this blog. Too much to get done, no time for someone to beat around the bush.
I'll tell you what the difference is. When we don't see a point in our efforts, some higher purpose, we QUIT. Nearly all of us. Oh, we may be going through the motions, but we do not excel. We do not flourish. Our primary motivation for doing what we do WELL should be to bring glory to God. And yes, that means cleaning the sink well. So our first task is to draw near to God for the strength to do a better job at everything we put our hands to.
But there is something far deeper at play when we don't want to start our day. We lack PASSION. Did you know that there are people who have a passion for the craft of paper folding? It's called origami. I cracked open a book once, intent on teaching my child how to make works of art from paper. The book was summarily closed for all time after a titanic struggle to make a paper Christmas ornament. Not my gifting.
What you need to do, what you MUST do, is concentrate on the areas in which God has gifted you, and find some work to do which puts those talents on full display. You will lose yourself in such work. You will find a fulfillment rise that has to do with being who you were created to be! You may be in a situation where you cannot find a job which meets such criteria. THAT IS OKAY. Find a volunteer position which does. Or, AND THIS IS NOT BLASPHEMY, carve out time for a hobby which lets you find the free expression of your talents and interests. You know, God enjoys watching you be the you he made you to be. He really does. It's part of the joy He found in making you and then setting you on a path to know Him. Sometimes it's okay to just be who you are. That's part of God's plan too, you know. He already has the world in his capable hands. It's a privilege to join Him in what He is doing. Being who He made you to be is step one. Let every day feature a few moments of doing something you are passionate about. You never know where it might lead. If it only leads to joy, so be it!
You do you. That's what you're called to, and that's what you'll be best at.
Thank you Laurie for the uplifting words! I get down on myself all the time because I can't do the things I use to do. So starting next week, I plan on working or finishing up a craft every day! There are so many things I want to do. I sure hope my new motivation works for me!
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