Today I return to work after my holiday vacation. I have been off work for about 3 weeks and it has been a very nice and most welcome break from the office. I hope I can remember all of my passwords including the one for my work e-mail!
As I think about my first day of work in 2012 I would like to start off with the right approach. My favorite character in the Bible is the man Daniel. You see, Daniel had a really tough day job and every possible excuse to not do it with excellence. He had been removed from his homeland and family as a young man, and he was forced to serve the king of Babylon. He was in a strange place with strange customs and little support. However, the testimony of the Bible is that Daniel’s work was beyond reproach: “He was faithful, always responsible, and completely trustworthy. ” (Daniel 6:4 – NLT). Daniel never returned to Jerusalem but for around 70 years he experienced success without compromise.
In the equation of financial wellness, there are two sides: the income and the outgo. If your income is going to grow, there is only one sure way to make that happen: you have to work! Not only do you have to work hard, you have to stand out. So we all need to follow the example of Daniel and approach our work as follows:
- Be faithful: Take care of your assigned duties and carry them out to the best of your ability. Make sure the quality of your work stands out.
- Be responsible: Be on time or be there early. As one good friend of mine used to tell me: “If I am on time, I am late“. Turn in your assignments on time or ahead of time. Communicate well. Take ownership of your role.
- Be trustworthy: Let your reputation be that of the worker who can be counted on no matter what. Let integrity and honesty be associated with you at all times.
So get after it! Do what you are doing with all of your heart. If what you are doing today is not your dream job, still work at it as best as you can. It is preparation time for that day when you do get to do what’s in your heart. You can’t turn it on like a light switch: the habits of excellence are built day by day with the choices we make. Have your best year in 2012!
23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,
24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
Colossians 3:23-24 (NIV)
