TGIF

I hated Mondays, dreaded Mondays. There was just something about Mondays that was dreary- the jam was too heavy, the tea was cold, and the alarm never ever sounded when it should have-I always arrived in office in a huff! Thursdays were always brilliant days, it was the day before Friday- such a lovely day, Friday. I got to do the things I loved after Friday- that is until I met a group of people who lived for Mondays.

Joining the work force, my script read ‘I hate Mondays,’ it even came with a t-shirt. My role was to carry a scowl on Monday that would slowly transform into a brilliant smile by Friday. I was born for this role. I loved it.

Some where in the vague memory of my kindergarten years, even in my foggiest part, this song will play. I sang it and performed it for my parents, gleefully with all the actions. Ad nauseum.

Slave, Slave in America

Working day-,day and night,

Planting sugar-,sugar and tea,

When I was in America.

Later, in life, I wonder why we sang this song at all and its sum total value, but I was way past my formative years and it was clear, there would be no America for me.

Even though America was deleted as an option for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness,- working day and night became equal to slavery. The pursuit of happiness was what my 8-5 work week was, I went through the drudgery of work to enjoy by blissful weekends.

THANK GOD IT’S FRIDAY!

That is until I met a group of people who loved Mondays. These people were high on something, all excited and uppity on a Monday. They had big plans for the week and high hopes. They were go-getters. My bosses who always saw things in me that I didn’t, placed me in this team.

Oh my, it was harrowing at first. At first, and then it got a bit exciting. Just a bit.

The team leader had a right fit mentality, she placed people where they fit best for team and for their competencies. She was quick to catch on my love for data and systems, the last person had gone on leave. I was immediately placed in her role. Big shoes to fill because this was the year BC, Before Computers. Everything was calculated manually first and then you lined up for the few computers. Did I mention that this team loved their work? Getting to a computer was a hustle, however, I had a window of opportunity, each time they went to the field, I had the computer to myself. Life was good.

Not only did these guys love Mondays, they loved Fridays. The goal was to have all reports in by midday, Friday. Friday afternoons in office were ghostly, yes, with skeleton staff. These guys partied hard. My kinda people. So we worked hard and we partied hard, Monday morning, we all appeared fresh and pimped for the week. If you are looking for the leaves we were chewing, check out @living la vida loca.

As a testimony to Newton’s 3rd law of motion, the party extended across borders. I would board Akamba for Nairobi on Friday and be back, Sunday evening. For all the energy I was expending at work, I needed an equivalent amount or even more happiness to replenish it. Nairobi, it was.

TGIF reloaded.

True to Ricky Martin’s lyrics, she wore me out. You cannot keep those wheels on the bus running, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 365 days a year. This was slave, slave, slave all over again. I gave Ricky Martin back his leaves, lyrics and t-shirt. I picked up Kenny Roger’s The Gambler, I knew when to walk away.

There is a series running at Worship Harvest called #somekamoney. Check it out here,no more slave, slave, slave.

Working the works of God

Jesus was speaking to some Jews, according to John, who asked Him this question that always struck me as strange, odd even. It always seemed so out of context. I thought well, Jesus, who is graciousness personified, was being gracious to the askers. What did they mean by working the works of God?

Then they said to Him, “What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?” Jesus answered and said to them, ” This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.”

John 6:28-29 NKJV

So there is this series at Worship Harvest #SomeKaMoney, started this August 2020. If you have not listened to it, you can start right here.

Sunday morning, keenly paying attention to the sermon and boom! It hits me that to the Jews, work was their way of extending the kingdom of God. It is why they ask Jesus after he has miraculously fed them, all five thousand of them, how they can work it? Their response to the miraculous was wonder and desire to replicate.

One of my history classes had very inquisitive minds. They did not accept regular answers and always asked why? The lessons were filled with so many seemingly unconnected whys. I decided rather than waste this opportunity, let us delve into the theory of evolution. At which point, of course, with the many whys, they became the several theories of evolution. In order to prepare for the lesson, I also had to really delve so as to sufficiently answer each child’s questions. I read about Darwin’s expedition to the Galapagos islands and his journal entries and drawings of the finches. Suddenly, my world was filled with wonder at the magnificence and greatness and forethought of God.

These finches were spoken into being, (Genesis 1:20-23) on the fifth day. Not only were they distinguished from eagles, parrots, hens and humming birds by the Word of God. They carried within themselves, the ability to adapt and survive in their different environments. Darwin spent five years observing them, it must have been such a wondrous thing to behold. His observation led him to write his paper, The Origin of Species, which to date has caused quite a stir.

Source: Pinterest

In both instances, Darwin’s and the Jews, the wonder of creation created a desire that got them working. It created a passion that caused them to create. Why then do we separate, our wonder from our work? It is not possible. All work begins with wonder, the possibility of greatness. The possibility of bringing happiness to a soul.

Have you paused to think about why you work? Well Genesis 1, tells us that God paused at the end of each day and saw that His work was good. Is it any wonder then that Peter says of Jesus ‘he went about doing good..’ while speaking at the house of Cornelius. (Acts 10:38). Paul writing to the Ephesians exhorts them and us to remember that we are ‘created in Christ Jesus to do good works’. Paul also writing to the Philippians encourages them that ‘it is God who works in you both to will and to do. God worked because He is good and loves to do good.

Why do you work? And why should you work? Work is our response to the greatness of God. Like the heavens, David writes about, declare the glory of God. (Psalm 19:1). Our work declares the glory of God.