There is nothing better for mortals than to eat and drink
and find enjoyment in their toil.
This also, I saw, is from the hand of God,
–Ecclesiastes 2:24
On this Labor Day weekend, I’d like to ponder with you the nature of work; not only the things we do for pay but the other labors of life. To set the stage, let me share a story
A number of years ago, while still living in the Charlotte metro area, Lori and I went to a party for individuals who worked in her office. Spouses had been invited, too. I didn’t know many of those who would be attending and asked Lori ahead of time who might be there. In naming some of the possible attendees she mentioned the husband of a co-worker was employed by the City of Charlotte. In particular, he was responsible for all the traffic signals in its 298 square mile area. At some point during the party, I met that man. In an effort to start a conversation said “I understand you’re in charge of all the stoplights around here.” He looked at me and with a deep sigh replied “Which one do you want to complain about?”
With sufficient time, I’m sure I could have come up with one, but I held back. For what struck me about his comment was the clear toil his work was exacting upon him. To be sure his response could have occurred after a particularly difficult day in the office, but it sounded more like the lament of one in the wrong place vocationally.
If true, he certainly would not be the only person to feel that way. When I was working with the Bell System, it became clear that I was not in the right line of work.. Not everyone moves from corporate America to the ministry, of course but I suspect most of you have known people for whom work was not a source of joy either, but drudgery. Not something that was fulfilling, but a necessary evil to pay the bills. That might even be your experience, too.
While knowing it can and does happen, I can’t believe that such a state iis God’s intention for us.
To be sure there are times when life’s events require one to hold multiple jobs or take work just to keep food on the table. There are occasions, too, when individuals will set aside their vocational dream or career path to care for aging parents or grandchildren. And most careers start with positions or roles that aren’t the fullest use of ones gifts. I have great respect for how people sacrifice their own goals to help others and the strength it requires to go to work day after day in a place that doesn’t match one’s passion. As others have been known to say “There’s a reason we call it work!”
Even with those realities, I am convinced God equips each of us with unique talents and that part of the divine intention is that all people find ways to be engaged in meaningful labor. Ideally, we will also receive a paycheck for such efforts, but the matching of talents with labor also happens with the invaluable work done when one stays at home nurturing the people large and small who live there. We use divinely-given gifts when we strengthen the life of our faith community or volunteer at a food pantry or in some other way offer our time and creativity to support a worthy cause.
Whatever the setting, the preacher of Ecclesiastes said it best in declaring There is nothing better for mortals than to eat and drink and find enjoyment in their toil. This also, I saw, is from the hand of God,
I hope his words describe the places where you are working today. And if not, that you will allow God to direct you to the place where your gifts and the world’s needs meet.
Source of all talents, guide me to use my abilities in ways that make a difference to others and bring meaning to me. Amen
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