Do you enjoy your life?
SEPTEMBER 21, 2007 (FRIDAY) – Hello, Friday. Where have you been? Been waiting for you all week. That’s the way millions of workers across the country feel this morning.
“TGIF.” In the U.S.A. It has become a common expression of relief at the end of the work week and anticipation of relaxing over the weekend. The phrase was made popular by a 1978 move, “Thank God It’s Friday.” A restaurant chain gave itself this name to emphasize its casual ambience.
On the surface this expression sounds like fun. Its subtle implication, however, is that the workplace and the work itself is dull, uninteresting, difficult and unenjoyable.
Do you enjoy your life? Then you might give some pointers to the less fortunate. Or are you one of those who feel like jail inmates when you are at work? Do you live under a little black cloud at home and elsewhere?
How does a person get to the point where every day, at work or play, or whatever, life is appreciated and enjoyed?
Marilyn Elias, USA TODAY, December 2002, wrote that the Psychologists of America have concluded, “The happiest people surround themselves with family and friends, don’t care about keeping up with the Joneses next door, lose themselves in daily activities and, most important, forgive easily. “
Here’s what Jesus said (Matthew 5, “The Message” translation) as He introduced the “Sermon on the Mount” with the “Beatitudes:”
“You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule. You’re blessed when you feel you’ve lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you. You’re blessed when you’re content with just who you are—no more, no less. That’s the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can’t be bought. You’re blessed when you’ve worked up a good appetite for God. He’s food and drink in the best meal you’ll ever eat. You’re blessed when you care. At the moment of being ‘care-full,’ you find yourselves cared for. You’re blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world. You’re blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That’s when you discover who you really are, and your place in God’s family. You’re blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God’s kingdom. “
Years later Paul the Apostle wrote to the Christians at Philippi (Philippians 4 “The Message” translation): “Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.”
Thank God it’s Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday. This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. (Psalm 118:24).