Motivated To Work Overtime

Sunday night during our men's group, we talked briefly about changing times, specifically the number of hours required to do certain jobs and what makes a full time work week. The trend today calls for less time in the office, more vacation days, easier work environments, and increased fringe benefits. Most companies call this part of total compensation, and in many cases these extra benefits cost the company very little while providing the employee with a sense of relaxation and time away. My experience tells a different story because the extra time off and easier work environments do nothing to reduce the pressure but rather compress the pressure into smaller time frames. Time off, then, ends up getting spent decompressing in time to return to work refreshed and allowing no time to enjoy family, friends, hobbies, and just being you again.

Trying to squeeze a few moments of relaxation into a busy work week often limits time alone with the Lord in prayer and meditation on His word to small tidbits, or micro-moments. Recently, my doctor informed me that my number one health concern was stress and lack of rest. These two areas, he feels, are causing the other problems my body manifests on a daily basis. He recommended prayer and meditation first. Then he followed that recommendation with exercise and nutrition. I am grateful I found a spiritually minded doctor who was courageous enough to tell me, knowing I serve as a pastor and biblical teacher, that my exercise and nutrition would not help if I did not find more quality time for prayer and meditation. Perhaps, my personal doctor would enjoy Dr. Luke and his biblical writings.

Considering everything happening in the life of our church, I praise God for His glory and His power. He shows up in ways we could never imagine. I also have to pause and consider the unexplained near death experience of an 11 year old boy and the immediate surgery of another young man the same day. I think of the broken marriages and financial strain. I am aware of those living double lives and those who are living single lives very separated from the Lord. I think of all that happens in the lives we live and can't help but consider while we are trying to find ways to work less, one spiritual being works overtime every single day to destroy any good the Lord wants to do in our lives. Who is this overzealous worker, cashing in on every moment he gives to his task? You guessed it! Satan works overtime to destroy us and to steal our joy. Jesus taught us this in John 10:10. "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly." 

Scripture overflows with examples of Satan's influence in working overtime. He worked while David was at home during a time of war. He worked forty days while Jesus was in the wilderness. He worked during the day and the night to confuse Israel and to make them regret leaving Egypt during their wilderness wanderings. He worked during the night to convince the Pharisees Jesus was the enemy. He still works overtime today. He works during the night as he steals sleep from the weary. He encourages late nights in shady hangouts for those looking for love in all the wrong places (cue Johnny Lee on the Jukebox now). He works during family gatherings and during the peaceful moments of calm as he distracts us from our time alone with God. This evil works in secret, too. 1 Peter 5:8 tells us "Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." 

Knowing of Satan's interest in working overtime gets me to thinking about the first part of Peter's command in 1 Peter 5:8. "Be sober-minded; be watchful." The apostle reinforces our own need to work overtime in the battle against the enemy. How do we work overtime as physical beings who get tired and need to rest? Scriptures gives us two ways, and one fuels the other. 

Let's start with the physical solution. We need each other. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 teaches, "Two are better than one, for if they fall one can lift the other up again. Again, two lie down together, and will keep each other warm, but how can one keep warm alone?" Galatians 6:2 says, "Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." We need each other because we get physically and emotionally tired. Perhaps this support comes to fight the enemy in praying for each other throughout the night at various times of the night or pausing at specific times in the day to pray specifically for a need. Maybe we could support each other by taking one day to have lunch with someone or even a phone call where our full attention goes toward listening, learning, and loving the person on the other side of the table or phone. Maybe we identify the times when Satan works the hardest in order to make sure we are sober minded and alert especially during those times. 

Physically working together to overcome the enemy provides a launching pad for the spiritual battle we are engaged in. Oh, and don't forget Satan is not the only one who works overtime. We serve a risen Savior who always stands on ready to fight for our joy. Take a moment to stop and read Psalm 116 and reflect on God's response to His people. Consider Psalm 34:4 as well. Now read Psalm 121. Our Lord never sleeps, and He will not let our foot slip. He works overtime to fight the battle, and He holds more power than the devil who is a created being under the authority of our God who has always been and always will be.

Ephesians 6:10-20 describes our collaborative efforts in the spiritual battle to remind us that as we fight along with those in our Christian fellowship, we are wearing the armor of and fighting in the battle with the Holy Spirit of God. He works overtime to keep us safe, and He calls us to work overtime, in cooperation with other believers, to keep the fight going.

During these next few weeks we will find time to take moments away from work so we can find ways to be busy at home getting ready to spend time in emotionally charged and physically challenged relationships and activity. Take time to refresh with the Lord and to prepare yourself for the spiritual battle that you are part of each moment. As you find time to work less at your job, find ways to engage more with the Lord. You will never regret the overtime you spend with the Lord!