My grandfather told me once, “If you find a job you enjoy doing, you will never work another day in your life.” I didn’t really understand that statement until many years later when I became a trainer. I began to look forward to the challenges of each new day and the satisfaction of seeing men and women start a new career with my help. I am still in touch with many of my trainees. Most are still in that industry. Some have found satisfaction in solving their customer’s problems in the field; others have found satisfaction in management positions; and a few have achieved the dream of owning their own business. Seeing them happy in their life’s work is very satisfying to me.
What got me to thinking about all of this was a quote I read recently, “Human life, by its very nature, has to be dedicated to something.” The key for each individual is to find what that “something” is in their life. Each of us is created with unique abilities and interests. As Christians, we have the distinct advantage of having the Spirit of our Creator guiding us to the work to which we can dedicate our life. Hint: the only lines of work that provide purpose and true happiness are those that serve the needs of other people. One of the favorite sayings of sales motivational speaker Zig Ziegler was, “You can get what you want if you help enough other people get what they want.”
I have seen many people retire from the work that gave them purpose to a life of rest and relaxation only to find their health begin to fail and death take them before their time. Reaching a certain age doesn’t eliminate the need for purpose in life. We still need a reason to get up in the morning and look forward to the challenges of a new day. We must retire to something, not just from labor.This blog has given me renewed energy and purpose in my retirement.
It has been said that the two greatest days in a person’s life is the day they are born and the day they discover why. My Christian brother or sister, whatever stage of life you are in right now, follow the prompting of the Holy Spirit to guide you to the life’s work you were created for. When you do that, you will find that work full of purpose corresponds with your mission as a member of God’s family and it won’t seem like work at all.