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Vain Labor

by: Ellene Meece, Workplace Leaders Network Director

Have you ever been caught in the work cycle trap of expending more and more energy but not really getting ahead? Trying to please your employer in hopes of a promotion? Spending countless hours to build your company and reach a level of security? Or simply working more than one job to pay the bills? Then one day, you find your self depleted of joy, a sense of fulfillment and sometimes even the ability to be courteous to those closest to you. At that point, I'm sure you would agree that the vicious work cycle has become vain labor!

Here's some wisdom: "Except the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it; except the Lord keeps the city, the watchman wakes but in vain. It is vain for you to rise up early, to take rest late, to eat the bread of [anxious] toil - for He gives [blessings] to His beloved in sleep." Psalm 127: 1-2 Amp.

Lately, I've been more aware of this truth in Psalms. I'm learning that only participating in God's plan, living inside Him, learning daily His way of doing things can produce a fruitful business, work environment and financial stability.

Jesus can relate to our temptation to "work our fingers to the bone" and not get ahead. Listen to His invitation: "Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to Me. Get away with Me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with Me and work with Me - watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with Me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."

This is it! Take Jesus up on this wonderful personal invitation! Come to Him and whenever you can, "get away with Him." Let Him show you how to recover your life. Let Him teach you how to slot in that day of rest. Learn to play again. Laugh. Stare at the sky. Simply sit next to your loved ones without giving into the pressure of what needs to be done. And when you are involved in your tasks, follow His lead so that you can get more done in an eight-hour day than in your typical fourteen-hour day. Keep company with The Builder of the House, The Builder of your Business, The Builder of your Life.

In Edinburgh, Scotland there is a motto in Latin that appears on its crest and is even embossed on the city's official documents, Nisi Dominus Frusta, "Without the Lord, Frustration."

Without the Lord, vain labor. Get out of the 'vain labor' trap. Let Him promote you, build your business, restore your life.

Ellene Meece lives in Meeker, Colorado and works with her husband in their natural resource company while running her own online store, http://www.Grandmastreasuresonline.com. Currently, she oversees the marketing for the FMIN Workplace Leaders Network.

This is definite wisdom. With the Lord, frustration. I was awakened one night after many months of trying to rebuild my business identity. The Lord said, "Billy, you are going to have to take the plunge with me." I pulled away in fear thinking He had some huge task for me to undertake. But because I heard love I returned. He said, "You are going to have to face the fact that you have failed at creating your own identity." Now further down the road I see my years of vain labor trying to create an image only Jesus can rightly author. If we let the Master teach us our identity the works he has ordained for us will be a flow of his identity coming forth from our hearts effortlessly. Now I have Jesus at the head of my decision making letting him show me the true identity that existed before the world began. This is where his yoke becomes easy. My full agreement goes with this author!
by: Billy Bevan

5/11/2009

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