By Debbie Christopher~~According to Dictionary.com, the purpose of Labor Day is to honor the working people. We also consider it as THAT one last weekend to get away before summer comes to an end.
For the past couple of years, I have encouraged you to take a moment during this short break to restart your work world by reflecting and evaluating on ways to improve your work time experience…both for you and your co-workers!
In 2021 we considered the importance of working with enthusiasm. We work enthusiastically by keeping in mind that, because of who we are in Christ, we are actually working to please Him rather than solely seeking ways to please others. Striving to please others brings stress. Striving to please our Savior brings peace (Colossians 3:23).In 2022, we discussed that working joyfully validates our testimony and benefits everyone.
This year (2023), I’d like to encourage readers to consider adding another word to our Labor Day list---Working Graciously. Working graciously is what we actually DO in the enthusiasm and joyful process. It answers the question, “What does working enthusiastically and joyfully ‘look like’?
Dictionary.com defines gracious as the ‘state or quality of being benevolent, courteous, and kind’. I researched each of these words further as follows:
• Benevolent: expressing goodwill
• Courteous: politeness
• Kind: considerate and helpful
Graciousness entails all of the above. A second definition refers to going out of one’s way to be kind. Basically, graciousness is acting beyond normal ‘niceness’---whether you feel like it or not…or wherher or not you feel it's deserved. Have you ever felt this way at work?
Philippians 4:5 provides a simple reminder for us to keep in mind in ‘those’ moments.
“Let your graciousness be known to everyone. The Lord is near.”
Philippians 4:5 HCSB
Here’s an assignment that will help us reflect on ‘working graciously’.
First, make a list of as many things you can think of that you do and deal with at work each day---be as specific as you can. Include those little things you ‘always’ seem to get stuck doing such as wipe down the counter in the break room or change out the toner, etc.
NOW: Go back and add the word graciously to each item on your list…You know, like wipe down the counter graciously! Do it joyfully for the Lord! Being enthusiastic and joyful---with graciousness---will validate your testimony and make for a more stress-free work environment. Easy? Probably not…but, by God’s grace, we can do it…
See below for additional passages on today's topic.
Labor Enthusiastically!
Labor Joyfully!
Labor Graciously!
~Debbie
Colossians chapters 3 and 4, as well as Philippians chapter 4 contain other beneficial word lists for dealing with others and can be applied to the workplace. Maybe we'll look at a few of these next year.
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