A Part of Michael Page International

"Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people" - Ephesians 6:7 NLT

As of 15 September 2008, I will be joining the work ranks. It has been a long break for me and it really seemed like I had another summer vacation after I graduated. I am thankful that I had the opportunity to take such a long break before working.

Anyway, Michael Page, a recruitment consultancy firm, has offered me a management trainee position. I'll be in the commerce (banking & accounting) team. I know practically zlich about this sector but, I see it as a great opportunity to expand my knowledge and learn financial terms which might serve to be useful in the long run for personal investments (maybe). It's great and I feel relieved and at peace with this position and the company. I have always wanted to work for an international corporation with an established brand name.

Then again, as humans, there're always the other side of the story. You know, the reality setting in part....

As I was pondering and mulling over the impending fact that I am going to work soon, I inevitably have a dreading feeling. Its normal ok. I mean, no more shopping during afternoons, sleeping in till 12 noon or later, no more parents' allowances, no more slacking in coffee joints with a good read... and, giving the government 20% of my monthly pay. =\

I think I can go on lamenting....

But I know that's not the way. God wouldn't want me too. He wants me to enjoy what I am doing. And I am not going to shut the door which He has opened for me. I recalled, I did ask Him in my prayers to show me a way to be truly happy in my future work and to find joy in working. And He gave me an answer in the form of a Christian corporate world magazine, Vantage Point (highly recommended! It provided awesome tips on how to cope with worklife etc) and a Max Lucardo book. The former costs only 2 dollars (my Young adult pastor decided to sell it at a mass discount in church) and the latter, free.

Both talked about rendering our work service to God and He will add and bless the work of our hands. Even though our work might seem to be menial and ridiculously pain in the arse, God will make it work and all we need to do is to change our attitudes towards work and allow Him to take over.

Be like Apostle Peter (Other than being one of the 12 apostles, he is also a fisherman) who decided to surrender his boat (his workplace) to Jesus. The story in the bible (Luke Chapter 5) is like this, I've decided to put it across more simply. You see, after a long night out fishing with his "colleagues", he was getting fed up with his work (fishing) because they didn't get any fish at all. Not one! ok, sales people will get the point. Imagine you're a sales person, and you didn't get one sales for the entire day. More fish (or sales), more denarius (money in Jerusalem in Jesus' time). You would feel the same darn way as Peter would feel. One word, SIAN!

But, Jesus came along to ask Peter to surrender his boat (work) to him. Jesus didn't stand on one side and let Peter continue suffering in the misery of his work. Instead He came to help and to bless. And He did! According to the later part of the story, Peter was told by Jesus to let his net down once again for another catch. Peter, naturally, was feeling reluctant. And personally, I can understand how he felt. I mean after one night of not catching any fish, I would be feeling kinda hopeless and in a lousy "Oh God, I really feel like giving up now" mood. That's not the point anyway. The point is, Peter did obey in the end and cast down the net and believe it, they did catch a huge number of fishes. I mean, we're talking about Jesus (God) here, when He say do something, it will definitely work for the ultimate good and blessing. It is recorded that the amount of fish that was caught, was so much that the boat began to sink. Haha. Everyone present was astonished.


After reading the passage and getting the picture, I realize I can apply this truth to my life. Peter's example and experience. The message is straightforward, Just surrender your boat (work and workplace) to God and He will bless it! No matter how hard, how menial, how challenging etc... just leave it to God. God's eyes fall upon the work of my hands.

The presence of Christ guarantees more sales, bigger bonuses, longer weekends and early retirement. With Jesus in your boat, you'll go from Galilean fishing to Caribbean fishing. If He showed Peter where to cast nets, won't He show you where to transfer funds, file documents etc? - Max Lucardo.

My Mondays matter to him as much as my Sundays. WIth God, work matters as much as my worship. To shine for Him at work. I am going to take Christ with me to work and ask Him to superintend my 8.30 to 6.30 (yups, my work hours. not 9 to 5).

Also, I feel grateful for all my loved ones and friends who have given me encouragement over the months. You have blessed me greatly with your kind words and prayers! Thank you! GOD did make me wait a while longer for a reason; To teach me to be more patient and to believe more in myself (and in Him as well) to get the right job.

To all my friends, work is not everything. Take it easy. Ok, I know I haven't started work yet so I might not be in a position to advise or anything like that. Yes, I haven't yet tasted the demands and the challenges of work. But just as a reminder and encouragement (for myself as well), let us not be slaves to work. Do well and find joy in working. I am sure all of us can be able to find a garden out of a cesspool of our work.

Raffles Place, here I come! I am going to conquer you. =)