Ponderings...
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Seems like today's a good day for blogging... I've been inspired reading others' blogs (been blog-hopping), so I shall post something as well.
Was talking to Miss Lim today at the shop. She commented that although she likes music, she said that doing it as a full-time job really kills the interest. Which got me thinking about what I wanna be doing next time.
I remember Siew Lim asking me about the aspirations that I had when I was a child... I could list doctor, lawyer, artist, animal vet, singer/songwriter, psychologist, teacher, lecturer, interior designer, graphic designer.
Seems like the jobs that I really want the most (some of which are up there) are the ones that are, according to Singapore definition, not the money-making type. Which presents me with the dilemma:
"Should one take up a job because you like it, or because it's able to provide you with material wealth?"
OK, I realise that the wording for that question might be kinda biased (material wealth does sound kinda negative in my book), but seriously, if you'd asked me maybe 5 years earlier, I would've gone for the former.
Now, seeing this same question before me, I think it's really neither.
Neither??? Haha... Some of you might be confused, but lemme clarify myself.
Neither, because what's most important is that you choose a job, and you do it well for God.
Sure, you'd wanna get a job that supports you financially, and also one that appeals to your talents and interests, but in the end, it's how you do your job that's really important.
Take the example of Joseph when he was under slavery and in prison, for instance. I don't think being the prisoner in charge of all the other prisoners is a glamorous position. In fact, if I were a prisoner under Joseph's charge, I'd think that he was doing things for the warden to get such favours.
But read the text carefully, and you'll find the simple reason why Joseph was favoured by the warden.
Genesis 39
But while Joseph was there in the prison, 21 the LORD was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden. 22 So the warden put Joseph in charge of all those held in the prison, and he was made responsible for all that was done there. 23 The warden paid no attention to anything under Joseph's care, because the LORD was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did.
The reason? God favoured him. Simple as that.
No bootlicking, no currying of favour. Just being faithful and true to God.
In fact, read Genesis 39-41 and note the beginning of 39 and middle of 41. You'll find the same pattern repeated throughout with Potiphar and the Pharaoh: Regardless of Joseph's circumstances, God favoured him, and blessed him and the work of his hands.
Now, Joseph could've whined about his circustances. He didn't have to work that hard under Potiphar; after all, he was already a slave with work to do. Why should be want to be saddled with more work? And when he was in prison, he could've kicked back instead of getting more work for himself. And after he had asked the cupbearer who got out of prison to mention his case before Pharaoh, the cupbearer forgot and caused Joseph to hang around in jail another 2 YEARS! If it were me, I'd definitely be bitter enough to stop working and tell God:"Look, you promised me that I'd be ruling over my brothers. And my ticket out of this hellhole went and forgot about me. What is this?!"
Well, if Joseph entertained such thoughts (which could be likely; after all, he is human), there's no evidence that he let that affect his work and his attitude towards it.
And that is something that I really respect him for. Especially after having gone through army, where the norm is to skive off and do as little work as possible.
I wish I'd have had this insight sooner; it would've changed alot of my perspective in the army.
But since that's all in the past now, I can only hope that what I learn from Joseph, I'll apply to other things that I do in life. Regardless of whether I like them or not.
Cliffy posted at 11:08 PM
