The Great Sustainer

…and in him all things hold together” (Col. 1:16-17).

Psalms 3:5 -“I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the Lord sustained me.”

One of the mysteries of life of which men hardly think at all is the mystery of sleep… Into its secrets the cleverest man cannot pierce, though all men share its blessings. See the tired man worn out after a heavy day’s work, or burdened with care. He flings himself on his bed, his day’s work or his day’s trouble, his foremost, ever-present thought. Kind sleep touches his eyes. His fatigue is forgotten, his cares are gone.

What thought strikes us most forcibly as we look on the picture of the sleeper? Surely the thought of helplessness. The strongest man asleep cannot defend himself or help himself. And yet the millions of mankind daily lie down to sleep, and daily rise again, safely and in peace.

Why? We know why, though we so often carelessly forget it. Because God is with us always, never leaving us for an instant to ourselves; about our path and about our bed; the Almighty Father, with more than a mother’s love and tenderness. We know our weakness and helplessness, but we know our Helper. If we will only love and serve God in Christ, and consecrate our lives to Him, we are safe. (Samuel Pascoe.)

WORSHIP OF WORK

WORSHIP OF WORK

Karoshi is a Japanese word which means "death from overwork." This condition is noted in Japan that thousands of workers are said to have died from this malaise. The Japanese government's Labor Ministry has been forced to provide compensation to the families of the so called  karoshi victims who simply died of overwork.  

Why would a man force himself to work until he drops dead?

This is very strange indeed. Many are obsessed with work.

I know of a man who gets the blues when weekends or holidays come. He couldn’t bear to be away from his desk for too long. He feels guilty that he’s not doing anything. He is a hard driver. He drives the personnel under him to the max and squeeze them to optimum performance. Nobody likes him in the office. He’s often wired, and wants immediate results. He’s a great guy. But he’s miserable, unhappy, and everyday he looks worn-out. I haven’t even seen him smile in months.

Now a man like this is a sure candidate for this affliction, and worst he’s contagious and likely to spread this Karoshi malaise to his subordinates.   Working with this man is hazardous.  

There is no question that work is essential to sustain life. Scripture tells us that work is ordained by God.

In the process of creation God worked as the prime mover of all creation (Genesis 1:1-15).God worked for six days and rested on the seventh day. The first and the most marvelous work ever done is recorded in Genesis.

The God of creation is a working God. (Genesis 1:31 )

God was pleased by the fruit of His labor, He called it “very good.”(Genesis 1:31). Work  should therefore be viewed as something good, and not a drudgery. Man should find fulfillment in his work, as he applies himself to productive labor. Work in the Biblical context has been considered good and essential activity which would which would complete, satisfy and balance man’s life on earth.

St. Paul writes in Thessalonians 3:10-12:

"If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work but busybodies. Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their own work quietly and to earn their own living." These are clearly positive declarations which affirm the value and importance of productive labor. Indolence is frowned upon, and its consequence is hunger and want.

The Karoshi syndrome is simply taking the value of work to the extreme. When man starts to worship his work that becomes an end in itself, work becomes a curse. When a person could  find meaning and significance only in his work and none other else, that he would even be willing to sacrifice everything or drop dead for the sake of his work then work becomes a curse.

.

THE PARABLE OF CALVIN CAUTIOUS

THE PARABLE OF CALVIN CAUTIOUS

When Calvin Cautious awoke he was, scared to death. “This must be it,” he thought, “I must have died and gone to heaven.”

He looked around. Everything was so vast and white.

“Calvin Cautious?” a voice asked from behind him.

Calvin was startled. He spun around. Behind him stood a large bearded man wearing white overalls holding a clip board.

“Where did you come from?” Calvin asked.

“I work up here,” the man said.

“Up here?” Calvin asked. “Where Am I? Is this Heaven?”

“No, no you’re not dead and you’re not in heaven,” the man said, “this is a way station, a checkpoint, you’re here for a warranty service and to answer some questions.”

“Warranty service and questions?” Calvin asked.

“Yes, the Manufacturer has laid down the policy to keep track of the products,” the man said.

“Are you the Gate Keeper? asked Calvin.

“No I’m the Engineer,” the man said.

“When can I go back?” Calvin asked.

“When you can give the right answers,” the man replied. “You see the Manufacturer sees no sense in wasting space down there on a product that won ‘t be used properly.”

“Do you mean that if I can’t give the right answers I’ll be you know dead?” Calvin asked.

“Your warranty will be revoked and you will be permanently recalled,” the Engineer said.

The Engineer read his clip board. “Tell me Calvin what is  your purpose down there?”

“Well, I try to work hard, mind my own business, don’t hurt anyone, stay out of trouble and just get along with other folks,” Calvin explained.

“What about your talents Calvin, what about them?” the Engineer pressed.

“What talents? They’re not much, really, you know, I just keep to myself, you know,” Calvin mumbled.

“Oh no, Calvin you’re not answering right,” the Engineer was disappointed, “Don’t you remember the story of the Talents?” (Matthew 25:14-30)

“I think so, “ Calvin mumbled, “The Manufacturer gave three men three talents each. To one He gave five, to the second He gave two and to the third He gave one.”

“That’s right,” the Engineer said. “ Some years later the Manufacturer checked up on each of them. To the one He gave five talents, He was pleased that the man used and applied all the talents that they earned another five more. He checked on the one whom He gave two talents, and was pleased that the man used and applied the talents that they earned two more talents. But when He checked on the one He gave one talent He was angry because the man who was given one talent buried the talent on the ground, saying that he was afraid the talent might get lost. The Manufacturer had only harsh words for him, “You wicked and lazy servant, you did not use the gifts that I gave you!.”

Do you get the point of the story Calvin Cautious?” the Engineer asked.

“I think so,” Calvin exclaimed.

“Then do something about them Calvin!” the exclaimed, “I hate revoking warranties up here, you know.”

From the time of the creation of mankind, God has entrusted to man the time, wealth and resources of this world as steward of His creation.    Everything we have comes from God and belongs to Him. We are responsible for using those resources so that they will multiply and increase in value that God may be Glorified.

The profitable stewards were praised, given increased responsibilities and invited to enter into the joy of their Lord. They were rewarded for their work and faithfulness.

American Philosopher William James wisely observed, that, “compared to what we ought to be, we are only half awake…we are making use of only a small part of our mental and physical resources.”

(An Adaptation from Og Mandino's University of Success)

THE POLITICIAN

In a social gathering I attended a guest asked me what I do for a living. This question often makes me uncomfortable, and could be embarrassing , though, I am prone pose the same question to strangers with whom I might have the chance to be with.

In our society we are characterized by what we do. So one is expected to answer that he’s a medical doctor, a Professor, an Engineer, or a business executive.

But the embarrassment comes when one doesn’t belong to any particular profession like a housewife. Well, housekeeping  might be viewed by some as lowly, but most housewives, including mine, would vehemently object. All the more the question makes you squirm when you don’t do anything significant, like my friend who in response, would say he’s a freelance all around handy man with nothing better to do, but look for trouble.

In one  movie I saw many years ago, the actor Billy Dee Wiliams who played the character of a cop, was asked by a woman seated with him on a plane what he did for a living. Williams’ reply was a classic. He said “Killing people”.

The prevailing standard is we are what we do. So one time I asked the homeless beggar in the corner what does he do. He’s answer was equally a classic. He said he’s a politician. 

WORSHIPING WORK

WORSHIPING WORK

“Karoshi” is a Japanese word which means "death from overwork."

This condition is noted in Japan that many working people are said to have died from this malaise. The Japanese government's Labor Ministry has been forced to provide compensation to the families of the so called  “karoshi” victims who sadly died of overwork.  

Why would a man force himself to work until he drops dead?

This is very strange indeed. Many are obsessed with work.

I know of a man who gets the blues when weekends or holidays come. He couldn’t bear to be away from his desk for too long. He feels guilty that he’s not doing anything. He is a hard driver. He drives the personnel under him to  maximum overdrive, and squeezes them to optimum performance. Nobody likes him in the office. He’s often wired, and wants immediate results. He’s a great guy,  in the eyes of his employer, who rakes in the profits. But he’s miserable, unhappy, and everyday he looks worn-out. I haven’t even seen him smile in months.

Now a man like this is a sure candidate for this affliction. Worst he's contagious and likely to spread this “Karoshi” malaise to his subordinates.   Working with this man is hazardous.  

There is no question that work is essential to sustain life. Scripture tells us that work is ordained by God.

In the process of creation God worked as the prime mover of all creation (Genesis 1:1-15).God worked for six days and rested on the seventh day. The first and the most marvelous work ever done is recorded in Genesis.

The God of creation is a working God. (Genesis 1:31 )

God was pleased by the fruit of His labor, He called it “very good.”(Genesis 1:31). Work  should therefore be viewed as something good,  not a drudgery. Man should find fulfillment in his work, as he applies himself to productive pursuits, and enjoy a period of rest to be recharged, and work again.    

Work in the Biblical context has been considered good and essential activity which would fulfill, satisfy, and sustain man’s life on earth. The imperative of work, however, is balanced by the necessity of finding rest. God ordained rest, as much as work. A day of rest is set aside, for man to cease from his labors so he could pause, worship, and remember to be grateful to his Creator from whom proceeds all good gifts.    

St. Paul aptly taught of the significance of work in Thessalonians 3:10-12:

"If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work but busybodies. Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their own work quietly and to earn their own living."

These are clearly positive declarations which affirm the value and importance of productive labor. Indolence is frowned upon, and its consequence is hunger and want.

The “Karoshi” syndrome is simply taking the value of work to the uttermost extreme. When man starts to worship his work, it becomes an end in itself. Work becomes a curse. When a person could find no meaning and significance in anything else except in his work,  that he would even be willing to practically sacrifice everything for the sake of his work or drop dead of overwork, then work becomes an idol, a false god that is vainly worshipped.    

Image by the diabetesclub.com