More on Work

Is it possible to like work? And if so, why?
Well, this past Monday I started work with a entrepreneur from our church who specializes in palm tree trimming. By itself. Actually, that's not strictly true. He also makes stained glass and coffins and runs a plant nursery and a farm. But his main job consists principally of trimming the several different types of palm trees. So, my job consists of gathering and stacking the cut palm fronds and toting them to the chipper, chipping them, gathering up the small bits of debris, "boots and bones," and blowing off afterward. Quite strenuous, and definitely a 'blue collar' type of job. But its fun, let's me start putting some money in the bank, and keeps me in shape. What has made the past week different from the last summer in which I worked at the same job, is all the rain! It has rained every day since Monday, and heavily too. I work in jeans and leather gloves, so I come home sopping wet each day. So why do I call it fun? Not sure, really, I just know I enjoy it throughly. I get to reach out to unsaved fellow workers, get filthy, get inside the gates of the most expensive condominiums on the Gulf Coast, and generally work hard.
Which brings me to the original question, is it possible to like working? In my previous post I mentioned the origination of work in scripture, Genesis 2:15. God designed us to work to bring him glory. Now, I have no intention of trimming palm trees as a career. I believe God has called me to be an architect, and build buildings that bring him glory. But trimming palm trees has taught me to work with customers, the dynamics and interactions between employer and employees, how to work with an income and, most of all, how to be a light in a dark world. Something I have only recently realized is the fact that I have seen amazing pieces of architecture I could never have gotten that close too in another job. God is using this small summer job as a stepping stone to other things. While it may not be what I want to do for the rest of my life, I hope when I am finished God will say to me ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ (Matt. 25:21)
Soli Deo Gloria