“Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work.” – Aristotle
This quote by Aristotle is such a good reminder that when we find pleasure in what we do, we do it on an another level. We put in a better effort, with a nicer attitude, and achieve a far better result.
The lovely thing about life is to a large degree, you can choose the work you do. Now don’t recoil and get boxed in, telling me how this doesn’t apply to you. Some changes take time, but very rarely can they not be made.
So often we feel trapped in something when it is our very own selves who have put up the imaginary parameters. Let’s consider how to step more intentionally into what we were made for, while also switching gears to find the good in where we are!
Do Your Work Unto God
Many times when I find myself out of sorts with the work I have to do, I find that I am trying to find happiness in my work. But when I reframe the exact situation and do it unto God, not for myself, I find much more pleasure and purpose in what is before me.
And I can’t help but think that is what we are all after, finding our God-given purpose. Often the world is loud so we get distracted seeking our own desires (which is never fulfilling). But when we get in alignment with God, seeking His purpose for us, things shift! Following God’s lead and doing our work unto Him automatically leads to both pleasure in our job and perfection in our work!
I can’t help but be tickled that things are so seemingly upside down. In order to truly be happy we need to disregard ourselves and focus on God. Not disregard God and focus on finding happiness. Serving God and others and getting in alignment with God’s path and purpose leads to a happiness and fulfillment like no other.
But this is a lifelong pursuit! This isn’t something you can check off or disregard because you’ve already done it. Life is a sequence of seeking God’s path and plans, running in that direction, reevaluating and correcting course, and doing it all over again! Getting in alignment with God will lead you to perfection in the work you have before you!
Realize Your Potential
Do you realize you have the power of God in you? There really are precious few limits in life when you get in alignment with God! An important part of learning to get in alignment with God is to fill your mind with the Word of God. The enemy and distractions will always be loud, learn to rebuke them with the still, quiet voice of God’s wisdom, instruction and power!
As you consider your potential, consider your attitude toward the limits that you feel and experience. Instead of magnifying the lack or inability of situations or yourself, magnify God’s purpose and provision! God didn’t create you and bring you to this moment to squelch the hopes and dreams in your heart. He put them there because He’s given you potential that you must tap into and realize.
Beginning to realize your potential and tapping into all you can become is going to take resolve and courage. Many of the best things in life are inconvenient and uncomfortable in the short-term. But in the long-term, they lead to a very real pleasure in the work and perfection in the job!
Again, this is a lifelong pursuit. A constant process of getting in alignment with God, pursuing what’s in your heart, giving it your all while surrendering it fully to Him. This will likely be some of the hardest work you do – but it will be incredibly fulfilling and amazing! Difficulty and discomfort is often a precursor to next level blessings and purpose! Keep your eyes on God and magnify His incredible wisdom, power, and direction!
Perfection In The Work
Remember the verse about whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might, as unto God, not man? (can you tell I memorized KJV when I was young, haha!)
The work that we are discussing isn’t just some 9a to 5p, 40 hour work week. By work I mean whatever God has us doing in this beautiful life He has designed for us. He’s not limited creatively like we are. Your work may be school, babysitting, laundry, etc, or some high-level corporate job. It may look like being a stay-at-home-mama, small business owner or deployed military wife.
No matter your work, this applies to you: Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work. Being bitter, disillusioned, sour, unpleasant, etc, in your work does not make you more holy. It makes you ungrateful. Time to switch your gears, change what you can – and if for some reason you can’t change your work you need to figure out how to change your attitude. It’s that simple and that complicated.
As Christians we are walking representations of God. Imagine the joy, purpose and peace we might experience if we were to better get in alignment with His plans for us? I cannot think of a better way to show Him gratitude for forgiving our sins.
Until Next Time!
Hope.