Take Spirit to Work

If you’re a full-time employee, you spend at least 1/3 of your time “at work” or thinking/worrying about it. If you’re an entrepreneur, probably more than 1/3 of your time. Consciously taking Spirit to work, then, is a plenty good idea.

And, we can expand our meaning of work to include many of the ways we spend (literally) our time.

The work of our heads: our jobs, occupations, vocations. Brother Lawrence, a Carmelite monk in the 17th Century, accomplished the same peace and joy working in the busy kitchen as when he was at prayer. He allowed himself to keep his mind on God. What are some ways you embrace Spirit and what it does for you, when you are at work?

The work of our hands: the grunt work, have-to-do tasks and chores that fill so much of our “free” time. From yard work to child care to housework to running errands, we have a lot to do. And when we view it as work – as tasks and chores – we may make it a burden, rather than a blessing. Meister Eckhart felt the only prayer necessary is Thank You, God. Wrapping the busy work we have to do in thanks that we can do it, lightens its weight. How do you remind yourself to express such thanks? How often?

The work of our hearts: the joyful, energy-rich, contenting effortlessness that gets us in “the flow.” This is the work we enjoy. So much that we may forget it is work at all. In fact, it is only after completing work that I so enjoy what I’m doing that I remember to express my gratitude for doing it. I think of Jesus and know he experienced non-stop flow in the work he performed.

I cherish this verse from Rumi:

When Jesus breathed his breath into water and clay
it became a bird, spread its wings and flew.

Your praise of God is a breath
from your body of water and clay:
make it a ir of Paradise
by breathing into it your heart’s sincerity.

Enjoy your week. Enjoy whatever work you get to do!

Posted on May 8, 2012 at 6:51 am by Tim · Permalink
In: Christ Spirit, God, Prayer, Spirituality · Tagged with: , ,