Four Ways Work Helps Us Find Our Way to God - Part 2
We continue today with two more themes from Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski's teachings about work.
Man gets to know himself fully through work.
The aphorism "Know thyself" originated with the ancient Greek philosophers. But you don't need to be a Socrates or a Plato to be able to increase self knowledge and understanding. The challenges each of us faces at work each day help us to know ourselves better. If you take a moment to answer these questions, I think you'll understand this point better:
Why do you work each day?
You might think you work because you have to. But last time we saw that's not really true. Perhaps, for various reasons, you don't love your current job. But that doesn't mean you'd not work at all, even if you had that choice. So think about how you'd answer the question.
Why do you work at this particular job?
Is it just because you have no choice; it's simply the only opportunity you have to make money? On the other hand, is it because you love your work find it fulfilling? Whatever the answer, consider the possibility that the job you have today is part of God's plan for you. (It is, of course.) If you love your job, why would God give you this blessing? Is it a reward for the good life you lead? If you're not in love with your job, you may wonder why God's got you in a job you don't care for. Could it be that He's challenging you to find better work? Or maybe He's giving you the chance to offer up any suffering you experience, perhaps for the souls in Purgatory.
These are just a few ways to think about how we get to know ourselves better through our work.
Man learns to express himself fully through work.
Besides getting to know yourself better through work, you'll find you can more fully express yourself through your work. Look at the two simple options: work you love; work you don't enjoy. Those who love their work, typically get to use the skills and talents God gave them to produce work that not only benefits others but gives them a feeling of accomplishment and fulfillment. Work "feels good."
On the other hand, when you don't like your work, while it may not make you feel good, you may have an even better opportunity to express yourself through your work. For example, in the midst of your drudgery, or misery, or stress, or whatever that unlovable job dumps on you each day, you may have the perfect chance to express your love of God:
Father, you know I don't like this job. And I know that this must somehow be part of your plan for me. While it's hard for me to say it, I accept Your Will, I do say it out of love for You. Please grant me the grace to either find a better job, if that is Your will. Of, if not, to accept my burden in a spirit of love which can spill over into my interactions with those around me. Perhaps my good example will serve as a way to draw them closer to You. Maybe it will do that because I'm cheerful in the face of adversity. Or maybe it will be because those around me see me apply myself diligently to what appears to be (and frankly is) difficult or distasteful work. They see me do my best without complaint.
You can see how you can express yourself in different ways depending on your job. Also, you can see that even if you don't like your job, if it doesn't give you the opportunity to utilize your skills and talents fully, you can express your love for God and your desire to do His Holy Will. The key here, though, is to know that He is with you always, to "see" Him everywhere. Bring Him with you everywhere. Desire to please Him, to do all for His greater glory.
One more point: Anyone can do this because it only takes an act of the will - a sincere act of the will. You simply tell God - again, sincerely - that you want to do His will. This doesn't mean that all will proceed smoothly at that point. It's likely you'll wonder, after this sincere act of will, whether or not you're actually doing His Will. And that's generally not something most of us can understand most of the time. No problem. That's normal. Just keep letting Him know you want to do His Will.
Even if you're job is wonderful, you'll want to do this, right? After all, what's more important here? Your satisfaction and fulfillment, or doing God's Will. You know the answer.
Man gets to know himself fully through work.
The aphorism "Know thyself" originated with the ancient Greek philosophers. But you don't need to be a Socrates or a Plato to be able to increase self knowledge and understanding. The challenges each of us faces at work each day help us to know ourselves better. If you take a moment to answer these questions, I think you'll understand this point better:
Why do you work each day?
You might think you work because you have to. But last time we saw that's not really true. Perhaps, for various reasons, you don't love your current job. But that doesn't mean you'd not work at all, even if you had that choice. So think about how you'd answer the question.
Why do you work at this particular job?
Is it just because you have no choice; it's simply the only opportunity you have to make money? On the other hand, is it because you love your work find it fulfilling? Whatever the answer, consider the possibility that the job you have today is part of God's plan for you. (It is, of course.) If you love your job, why would God give you this blessing? Is it a reward for the good life you lead? If you're not in love with your job, you may wonder why God's got you in a job you don't care for. Could it be that He's challenging you to find better work? Or maybe He's giving you the chance to offer up any suffering you experience, perhaps for the souls in Purgatory.
These are just a few ways to think about how we get to know ourselves better through our work.
Man learns to express himself fully through work.
Besides getting to know yourself better through work, you'll find you can more fully express yourself through your work. Look at the two simple options: work you love; work you don't enjoy. Those who love their work, typically get to use the skills and talents God gave them to produce work that not only benefits others but gives them a feeling of accomplishment and fulfillment. Work "feels good."
On the other hand, when you don't like your work, while it may not make you feel good, you may have an even better opportunity to express yourself through your work. For example, in the midst of your drudgery, or misery, or stress, or whatever that unlovable job dumps on you each day, you may have the perfect chance to express your love of God:
Father, you know I don't like this job. And I know that this must somehow be part of your plan for me. While it's hard for me to say it, I accept Your Will, I do say it out of love for You. Please grant me the grace to either find a better job, if that is Your will. Of, if not, to accept my burden in a spirit of love which can spill over into my interactions with those around me. Perhaps my good example will serve as a way to draw them closer to You. Maybe it will do that because I'm cheerful in the face of adversity. Or maybe it will be because those around me see me apply myself diligently to what appears to be (and frankly is) difficult or distasteful work. They see me do my best without complaint.
You can see how you can express yourself in different ways depending on your job. Also, you can see that even if you don't like your job, if it doesn't give you the opportunity to utilize your skills and talents fully, you can express your love for God and your desire to do His Holy Will. The key here, though, is to know that He is with you always, to "see" Him everywhere. Bring Him with you everywhere. Desire to please Him, to do all for His greater glory.
One more point: Anyone can do this because it only takes an act of the will - a sincere act of the will. You simply tell God - again, sincerely - that you want to do His will. This doesn't mean that all will proceed smoothly at that point. It's likely you'll wonder, after this sincere act of will, whether or not you're actually doing His Will. And that's generally not something most of us can understand most of the time. No problem. That's normal. Just keep letting Him know you want to do His Will.
Even if you're job is wonderful, you'll want to do this, right? After all, what's more important here? Your satisfaction and fulfillment, or doing God's Will. You know the answer.
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