Galatians 5:13 For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
Colossians 3:23-24 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.
I woke up knowing today I would have slightly less freedom because I had to go to work. I won’t have the luxury of time to focus on my writing. The thing is, I work part time for myself. Better stated, I work kind of for myself and kind of my clients. I clean houses.
It’s actually fun. It’s flexible. Best of all, it lets me determine who I want to work for, when I want to work, and for how long. Though I can’t seem to meet my own standards in my household, in terms of organization and cleanliness, cleaning other people’s houses gives me a certain freedom…..in a restrained sort of way.
See, I still have to show up and honor my commitments. I still have to do the best job I can, just like if I worked in private industry (I used to work at a major airlines) or for the government (I used to be a teacher’s assistant). I have the flexibility of picking my start times, working around my kids’ events, and best of all listening to whatever I want. Sometimes it’s talk radio, a certain 2 letter/digit band, or any variety of music deemed My Favorites which ranges from classical, 1940s, Christian/Gospel, contemporary, musical theater, country. You name it; I listen to it.
Here’s the thing. When I clean, I’m also learning about our current events and political viewpoints and divisions as they occur. If that depresses me, then I switch gears and listen to music that soothes and inspires my soul. It’s a great job. I’m working for others helping them have a cleaner home, and hopefully reducing some of their stress and feelings of being overwhelmed in this busy world of managing family, careers, activities, and our own dreams.I’m also working for me! I’m earning some money, while having the luxury of having time to think or pray for or plan what I want to do with my life. I also spend a lot of time thinking and praying for others. I get to self-determine how my future will look, and who I want to be.
Or do I? I’ve had plenty of time to mull this question over the last few years. No, scratch that; the last few decades actually! But I’ve been more acutely aware the last few years, I suppose, while having vast amounts of work time that is seldom interrupted by other people. The thing is, whether I work at a “place of employment” or “work for myself” I’ve still got a boss. It could be that jerk down the hall, or it could be that slacker I sometimes refer to as ME.
But beyond earthly bosses of all kinds of temperaments and expectations, we also serve someone else. After all, where does motivation, or lack there of, come from? Where does our imagination of how things could or ought to be originate? Somewhere deep down, we intuitively know, we are working for more than just a paycheck or a position. We work (in whatever capacity you define work) for someone.
Bob Dylan sang it best; You’re Gonna Have to Serve Somebody. Who do you work for? How do you serve? Do you believe you are “working all things as if unto the Lord” knowing someone bigger is in charge of your life? Or does it seem you work just for you and you alone are responsible for figuring it all out; paying the bills, planning correctly for a hopefully, if all cards are played right, prosperous future? Or does it seem like to get ahead, you will have to “sell your soul” so to speak to reach your financial or professional goals?
Rats! It’s time for me to stop writing and actually go out and work a few hours in the world. Time goes by too fast, when we’re working at something we love, and often too slowly when we’re working outside of our realm of joy. And even though the best jobs are never a state of constant bliss (there is a reason it’s called “work”), I guess for me, it helps knowing that wherever my brain, hands, and feet are toiling today, I have a pretty awesome Boss who wants what is good for me. If you’re feeling stuck today in a job that doesn’t give you joy, I pray you’ll at least find some time to reflect on who your Boss is, get quiet for a little while, and listen to those small stirrings in your soul of what might just bring honor and glory to you both!
Gotta Serve Somebody – Bob Dylan
Partial Lyrics—Full Lyrics available at:
http://www.bobdylan.com/us/songs/gotta-serve-somebody
You may be a preacher with your spiritual pride
You may be a city councilman taking bribes on the side
You may be working in a barbershop, you may know how to cut hair
You may be somebody’s mistress, may be somebody’s heir.
But you’re gonna have to serve somebody, yes
You’re gonna have to serve somebody,
Well, it may be the devil or it may be the Lord
But you’re gonna have to serve somebody.
Might like to wear cotton, might like to wear silk
Might like to drink whiskey, might like to drink milk
You might like to eat caviar, you might like to eat bread
You may be sleeping on the floor, sleeping in a king-sized bed.
But you’re gonna have to serve somebody, yes indeed
You’re gonna have to serve somebody,
It may be the devil or it may be the Lord
But you’re gonna have to serve somebody.
u2areloved 