Do you feel “too” emotional? Do you feel like your emotions get the best of you? Do you let your emotions dictate your decisions? There seems to be a long list of rules on how we are to handle our emotions and most are not lining up with the way we really feel inside. I am listening to a series on emotions right now and I will share a different perspective that I pray will help you navigate through your feelings. The general consensus is that we should keep our emotions in check and that we should not allow them to guide our lives but how do we handle the ups and downs? Do you ever have days and days where it just feels like it is one “bad” thing after another? You try so hard to keep your attitude positive but the heaviness, struggles, and disappointments wear your down. You are left feeling even more confused because everything inside of you is screaming, I’m sad, I’m angry, I’m hurt, I’m disappointed, I’m dis-satisfied, I’m lost, I’m confused…..I want anyone who is reading this to know there is so much hope.

Our phones have hundreds of emojis that we use when we text our friends and family that help to describe how we are feeling. We often use them in a joking manner but the truth is we do have all of those emotions running through us at various times. These emoji’s are pretty accurate and reveal more truth than most of us are willing to admit with our words.

Today, I’m going to talk about being bored in our work and our routine…. We wake up each morning at the same time, going to the same job and doing the same thing over and over again. Monday blues feel very real to you. ” How can I do this again?” you ask yourself. You may have a boss or a co-worker that is working your last nerve.  Your day may consist of different tasks but at the end of the day, you still feel burned out, dissatisfied, and possibly even bored. You dream of better days when you can finally be doing what you’ve always wanted to do. However, over 50% of those people who are doing what they dream of doing are still very much feeling the grind too. Do you know that 73% of people stay in their current jobs just for a paycheck ( you need the money). Half of people are unsatisfied in their work and 1 out of 5 say they actually hate it! The crazy part is, that you will spend over half of your life at work. This thought may make you feel anxious and even oppressed. You think, there has to be more than this?

Our first question should always be what does God want for my life? and What does God say about work? Ecclesiastes says it is good for people to eat, drink, and enjoy their work under the sun in the short life God has given them. God assigned work to be good not a punishment so why does that not match up with how you might be feeling? God created each one of us for a purpose and chances are if you are bored in your work, you have not yet discovered that purpose. We were created by a purposeful God so when you are doing the same things over and over and over again- you think what is the purpose in this? Ecclesiastes Chapter 5  I undertook great projects and built houses for myself and planted vineyards. I made gardens and parks and planted fruits trees among them. When I surveyed all my hands had done, everything was meaningless, a mere chasing after the wind, nothing was added under the sun. We have a guy here that is saying, I achieved it all….The greater title, the grander paychecks, the accolades. He did what his society told him to do and in the end it felt meaningless much like chasing the wind.

Do you think it’s possible that we are looking at work ( and school) and God in the wrong way? I mean, how many times have you been asked the question… What do you do for a living? Where do you go to school? and what most people mean when they ask that question is, How successful are you? These questions are not bad but they will never lead to any type of sense of purpose.

What if, by chance you turned your thinking into not so much about what you do but who you are becoming? The bible says WHATEVER you do, whether in word or deed do all in the name of Jesus, giving thanks to Him. What this means is that is does not necessarily matter what you do but whatever you do, there is a spiritual element to your work. Our real job is to love God and love people- that is a command. So, if you love God and love people through your job, it does not matter what you do because you are glorifying the kingdom ( your eternal home).

We have this myth that on one side we have the sacred and on the other side we have the secular and the two are to be separate, an invisible line. So, on the sacred side you are one way and on the secular side you are another way. We have allowed that to be our norm but it is not Jesus’ norm. One set of values on sacred and one set of values on secular will not work. It will leave you feeling meaningless. You don’t get more points or favor for being a pastor over a waitress. God’s main purpose for us is not what we do, it is who we become. Now, let me preference this, by saying we all have talents and passions and if you long to fulfill dreams you have that will change the course of your work, then pray to your father and ask for his help. Our creator wants us to be fully alive but while he is working on your behalf, be present in what you are doing now because there are rewards. Nothing is wasted when you collaborate with God. Everything you do matters! Everything!

People think if their job has no eternal impact, they are not making a difference but that is NOT TRUE! Every move you make, every step you take, matters! ( haha, I did not mean to quote The Police). Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all of your might.

Some of you may think, you don’t understand what I do for a living and I really don’t but everything you do again, matters. I want you to think about the following questions as you work through your day. Let these questions resonate within your soul. Ask God to help reveal the areas where you are lacking in your work.

What kind of person do I want to be at work?

* Remember, you are going to be the exact same person at work that you are at home but more tired… It’s critical to ask yourself this question. What are you putting into your work environment? Do others gravitate towards you? Are you leading a hand or rolling your eyes?

Instead of how successful I am, we need to ask whom am I serving? We are made to serve others ( not just ourselves).

Success alone with not bring you satisfaction or joy. Your meaning will come from your impact and your impact is who you are. God does not care about your ability but your availability.

Don’t ruin your impact at work by the way you treat people. The people who make a real difference at work are the ones who are enthusiastic, character driven, and are kind. Think about the impact you are having with the people you interact with because you have a choice in how you reflect the whole nature of God.

Wake up each morning and say…”God has put me here to serve others.”

You can upgrade your level of significance and joy in your work by allowing God to re-adjust your thinking. The more good you put out into the world ( and your work), the more that comes back to you in the most unexpected ways. Have you ever given someone a gift and got more out of the giving than the person got out of the receiving? This holds true with your work too.

Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm- Ralph Waldo Emerson