Before I share today’s blog I wanted to update you on my writing. Last week I signed a contract with Leafwood publishers for my next Bible study whose working title is Little Women, Big God. I also have a new Facebook page. I wanted to invite you to drop by and let me know your thoughts. Thanks to all who’ve visited and liked the page. Your encouragement has been wind in my sails. Now for today’s thoughts.

Do you believe you were created for blissful productivity, not just activity? My poodles daily demonstrate the joy that comes from doing the work we were designed for.

Every morning Max and Cosette take up their poodle patrol posts. They take guarding the bird feeder from squirrels seriously. Tremors course through Cosette’s smaller body when one appears. Her luminous brown eyes beseech me. Max yelps, “Hurry, hurry!”

I stand aside so their rush through the door won’t knock me down. They zip across the yard, squirrels dart off in every direction. Max and Cosette leap up and down in jubilant celebration. “Well done,” they seem to say.

My face broadens into a grin. Poodle joy is contagious.

Since my dogs’ joy gives me pleasure, do you think God’s happy when we enjoy our lives and work? I do. After all, we’re made in His image.

Consider how these verses address our work:

• “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10, NASB).
• “I even found great pleasure in hard work” (Ecclesiastes 2:10, TLB).
• “His master praised him for good work. ‘You have been faithful in handling this small amount,’ he told him, ‘so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Begin the joyous tasks I have assigned to you’” (Matthew 25:21, TLB).

God wove into us special motivations for the good works He envisioned us completing. Just as different breeds of dogs have different strengths, so people have various abilities. Standard poodles were bred to be hunters and watchdogs. Mine can’t ignore a squirrel. Our unique drives propel us to specific types of work.

Some people pick up others’ hidden emotions like radar and zero in with the right response. Others address practical needs with ease. Working with numbers is sport to others. While still others see the big picture and keep a team moving to the right goal.

People who are people-oriented will be frustrated crunching numbers in a cubical, even if they’re good at it. People who are achievement oriented will go crazy herding a group of toddlers.

If you don’t feel motivated in your work you may be ignoring your God-given motivations. Doing something just because you can, is not the same as operating in your strengths. Working hard in your strength is satisfying. The other is draining.

It takes courage to express our God-given individuality. Some may not like it. That’s okay. They probably aren’t the people we were designed to work with in the first place. Those who enjoy the authentic us are the ones we’ll most enjoy too.

Consider the following questions:

• What do you enjoy about your work and your life?
• What could you add or change to make it more satisfying? (e.g. Delegate certain tasks, recruit a team, charge for what you’ve done for free, give away a service you used to sell.)
• Who would benefit if you spent more time doing what you love?
• What is the one thing that needs to happen each day for you to feel satisfied?

One way we enter God’s rest is to embrace the way He’s made us. When we shed the roles that no longer fit and accomplish “the joyous tasks” God has assigned to us, we make Him smile.

For help in identifying your strengths, I recommend the 48 Days Personality tests. You might also enjoy the 48 Days to the Work You Love book and podcast.

Our winter study Give Yourself a Break, Discover the Secrets to God’s Rest begins this Wednesday. Let me know if you can join us.

What activities bring you bliss? Comment here.

Blessings,

Debbie W. Wilson

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