Working When Things Aren't Just So
Waking up each work day morning finds us more or less ready to tackle the day's labor. Why more or less? Simply because some days we simply may not feel "just so," eager to get to work, dying to sink our teeth into whatever awaits us on the job. Maybe we're physically a bit off, or emotionally struggling, perhaps our mental acuity isn't as acute as we're used to it being. Not only are we all unique persons with our individual physical, emotional, and mental make-ups, but also we - at least most of us - aren't so perfectly conditioned and disciplined that we're always "on" on any given day.
Sometimes, being a little off tips a bit further into the realm of real difficulty, even suffering. We recently talked about "trial by fire" at work, as well as facing difficulties or even suffering on the job. Yet, when it comes to our work, most of us can't afford to dwell on how tough a particular day may or may not be. We're expected to show up and do our bit, not matter the circumstances, right? In that light I thought I'd pass on these wise words by Bishop Jacques Benigne Bossuet (1627-1704) to help us through such days.
If you read through his comments slowly and carefully, you'll understand better how and why difficult days, even those times when we truly suffer, come to us as little (or maybe at times big) gifts from God, to help us not only in our struggle to do good and avoid evil, but in our desire to grow closer to God, even if only one small baby step at a time, each day. Please do take your time as you read, maybe even meditate for a few minutes on these wise words. And if you're right now going through a trying time - as I recently did - I hope you'll find some consolation, even inspiration, to help you through the day.
Sometimes, being a little off tips a bit further into the realm of real difficulty, even suffering. We recently talked about "trial by fire" at work, as well as facing difficulties or even suffering on the job. Yet, when it comes to our work, most of us can't afford to dwell on how tough a particular day may or may not be. We're expected to show up and do our bit, not matter the circumstances, right? In that light I thought I'd pass on these wise words by Bishop Jacques Benigne Bossuet (1627-1704) to help us through such days.
If you read through his comments slowly and carefully, you'll understand better how and why difficult days, even those times when we truly suffer, come to us as little (or maybe at times big) gifts from God, to help us not only in our struggle to do good and avoid evil, but in our desire to grow closer to God, even if only one small baby step at a time, each day. Please do take your time as you read, maybe even meditate for a few minutes on these wise words. And if you're right now going through a trying time - as I recently did - I hope you'll find some consolation, even inspiration, to help you through the day.
“It must be borne in mind that one of the greatest secrets of the spiritual life is that the Holy Spirit guides us therein, not only by lights, sweetness, consolations, and attractions, but also by obscurities, darkness, insensibility, contradictions, anguish, revolts of the passions, and inclinations. I say moreover, that this crucified way is necessary; that it is good; that it is the surest and that it leads us much more rapidly to perfection. An enlightened soul dearly appreciates the guidance of God, which permits her to be tried by creatures and overwhelmed with temptations and neglect: and she fully understands that these things are favors rather than misfortunes, preferring to die on the cross of Calvary rather than live in sweetness on Thabor. Experience will teach her in time the truth of these beautiful words, ‘And night shall be my light in pleasures, and my night knoweth no darkness, but all things shine with light.’ The soul, after her purification in the purgatory of suffering through which she must necessarily pass, will enjoy light, rest, and joy through intimate union with God, Who will make this world, exile as it is, a paradise for her. The best prayer is that in which we most freely abandon ourselves to the sentiments and dispositions which God gives the soul, and in which we study with most simplicity, humility, and fidelity to conform ourselves to His will and to the example of Jesus Christ.”
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