The hardest thing is to have found one's work, and yet not be able to do it. That is a position I have found myself in more than once, including the present. I was born into a family of hard workers and I expected to work hard, but health and other circumstances keep pausing or slowing the work I chose. I often wonder if I am doing something wrong, but everytime I ask that question, the only answer I can come up with is that the Lord isn't asking me to work as hard as I thought he would.
Very timely - several weeks into retirement and occasionally sliding into the much anticipated sense of uselessness. The things and relationships that demand my attention now are "worthy of my finitude" (Camping with Kierkegaard: Faithfulness as a Way of Life by J. Aaron Simmons). Thanks for the reminder,
That is a hard spot. I pray my book speaks to that although I don’t think I’ve thought about it enough. Please read (or re-read) Milton’s sonnet on his blindness. I have a substack on it too.
The line that God has placed us in this particular century and family and continent very much resonated with me, in these turbulent days. It’s a beautiful essay
Very much looking forward to the (pre-ordered) book. I've so often been encouraged by Paul's words in 1 Cor 15:58 that the resurrection of Jesus means our seemingly-failed efforts, along with the attendant confusion and disappointment, are somehow redeemed and will ultimately last and have value and thus declare the victory of Jesus. (I take him to be refering to all labour done in/from relationship with the Lord, not specifically church-y things.) Perhaps it's Paul's oblique response to and resolution of Gen 3:17. 'Not in vain' could be a great slogan to hang above the desk! Of course 1 Cor 3:12-14 is a necessary caution, certainly in terms of ministry work, if not more broadly.
The hardest thing is to have found one's work, and yet not be able to do it. That is a position I have found myself in more than once, including the present. I was born into a family of hard workers and I expected to work hard, but health and other circumstances keep pausing or slowing the work I chose. I often wonder if I am doing something wrong, but everytime I ask that question, the only answer I can come up with is that the Lord isn't asking me to work as hard as I thought he would.
So many obstacles to our callings are not of our own making. I see you.
I read the whole article—wow, excellent. :-)
Thank you, Mel. 🩵
Very timely - several weeks into retirement and occasionally sliding into the much anticipated sense of uselessness. The things and relationships that demand my attention now are "worthy of my finitude" (Camping with Kierkegaard: Faithfulness as a Way of Life by J. Aaron Simmons). Thanks for the reminder,
Thank you. I will reread that sonnet and your Substack on it.
That is a hard spot. I pray my book speaks to that although I don’t think I’ve thought about it enough. Please read (or re-read) Milton’s sonnet on his blindness. I have a substack on it too.
I went back to your Substack and reread Milton’s sonnet on losing his sight. Right on time. Thanks.
🙏
The line that God has placed us in this particular century and family and continent very much resonated with me, in these turbulent days. It’s a beautiful essay
Thank you. I think about our places in continents in a lot of contexts. Most especially when I am pining for England.
That is so nice , come over and do a talk . It’s actually lovely weather at the moment
Be right there! ✈️😅
And the government is very boring too!
Now you’re just rubbing it in! 😅
It may be a coincidence but Plough (Bruderhof publication) this quarter has published its’ magazine with the theme of work.
I saw that. These things get planned out months in advance so I’m sure it is coincidence. My book was contracted two years ago!
Excited about this!!!
Thank you, friend!
🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
Very much looking forward to the (pre-ordered) book. I've so often been encouraged by Paul's words in 1 Cor 15:58 that the resurrection of Jesus means our seemingly-failed efforts, along with the attendant confusion and disappointment, are somehow redeemed and will ultimately last and have value and thus declare the victory of Jesus. (I take him to be refering to all labour done in/from relationship with the Lord, not specifically church-y things.) Perhaps it's Paul's oblique response to and resolution of Gen 3:17. 'Not in vain' could be a great slogan to hang above the desk! Of course 1 Cor 3:12-14 is a necessary caution, certainly in terms of ministry work, if not more broadly.