Last time I discussed the stick in
our lives, the thing that is more solid than the straw in our
lives, but less important than the bricks and that is our work. Our
work is important and should be done to the best of our ability.
Our work also consumes a lot of our time and is the place where we
spend most of our time (if you take sleeping out of the equation).
Therefore it is a big part of our lives.
But at the end of the day it is not
the most important thing. It shouldn't consume more time than it
should. Obviously there would be times when you spend more time at
work, than other times, but when the long hours become the rule
rather than the exception, then it is not healthy. I remember when
I audited a big company here in South Africa, the accounts people
joked that they worked such long hours that their own dogs barked
at them and their children called them 'uncle', because they did
not know who they were. They thought it was funny, but I didn't
laugh. I was sad.
Because you know what, your work is
not going to be there for you when disaster strikes. When you are
diagnosed with cancer, will they come and sit with you through each
chemotherapy session? When you are paralysed in an accident, how
often do you think the people from work will come and visit you
after you have been laid off at work? When you go through a divorce
due to your long hours at work, sure your buddies at work will
think it is just normal and encourage you to go through with it,
but will they be there when you are all alone in old age? When your
children want nothing to do with you, because you weren't there for
them, will the work invite you over for Christmas? Will they really
care for you?
I can go on and on, but I am sure
you get the point. No one on their death bed wishes that they spent
more time at work. They long for time wasted not being with their
loved ones.
Work is only a stick. If your house
is solely built out if it, I have bad news my friend. The first big
storm will blow it apart and what do you have left then?
As I said before, work is
important, but it is not the most important thing. You need balance
in your life. Work and do your best, but then leave and go be with
those that matter the most. Work on the bricks in your life and
make sure that you have a house that will not be blown apart in the
first storm that comes your way.
Lord, help us to see what is more
important in our lives. Help us to discern and know when to draw
the line. You know best. Amen