Last week, I shared the five regrets of the dying as reported by a women in Australia who worked with many dying patients, which you can access here. We looked at the first regret and that was people wished they had been more true to themselves and not to others' expectations. I wasn't planning on going through the other four regrets, but let's at least look at one or two more before we move on.
HARD WORK
The second regret was, "I wish I had not worked so hard." That is interesting to me, for work is God's gift to mankind. When the writer of Ecclesiastes discussed his life lessons learned from pursuing many things, he came to this conclusion: "So I saw that there is nothing better for a person than to enjoy their work, because that is their lot" (Ecclesiastes 3:22). That verse and conclusion number two led me to ask a question: Were the people doing the right work that caused them to wish they had not worked so hard?
You see, if it is God's lot for you to enjoy your work, then why would He not want you to engage that work as often as possible? Isn't the joy an incentive to pursue the work, at least in part? I wonder if the regret should have been worded, "I wish I had not worked at the wrong work so hard"?
PAUL'S PERSPECTIVE
Years ago I was complaining to the Lord that I was working too hard. I had a dream one night and heard this verse in my dream, and have used it as a guide for most of my adult life. It is in 1 Corinthians 15:10: "But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me."
Paul acknowledged that it was God's grace with him that caused him to work as hard as he did. I felt the Lord was indicating that He was not going to send me any less work, but actually more work. Yet it would be work that I would enjoy, work that He would help me achieve. I would say He has done that for me, and I think He wants to do it for you, too.
If I got the end of my life and had devoted thousands of hours to work I hated or that didn't matter, I think I would regret that like those who were part of that woman's conclusions. Rather I have worked doing what I love and that has made my adult life enjoyable, meaningful and rich. My father retired from his work at 62, and I will be that age this year. I cannot even imagine stopping doing what I love to do something else or nothing at all. I hope you feel the same.
If you don't, what are you prepared to do about it? It's not too late to lay the foundation for meaningful, enjoyable work. What are you waiting for? Most people know what that work would be, but they let fear rob them of the efforts to perform it. Don't end up like those people in the survey who wished they had not worked so hard. Instead be like Paul who rejoiced that God's grace empowered him to work hard and see results. Thank you and have a great week!
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THE BIG BLESSING UPDATE: I posted some new pictures, a video and a financial update for The Big Blessing $25,000 target raised by March 15 on my blog site. Take a look when you have a chance and then help me reach my goal! Thank you.
PURPOSEQUEST ASSESSMENT: Don't forget to take the free Purpose Assessment on my website to determine where you may be on your individual purpose journey.
LAST CALL FOR ISRAEL: If you are interested in my trip to Israel from May 15-29, you must let me know immediately so we can hold airline seats. Just drop me an email and let me know that you are interested.
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