Two Truths About What You Do

Two different people in two different settings doing two different things asked me the same two questions.

First, I was asked by a sweet lady wearing a hairnet that smushed the white hair to her forehead. She played the perfect classical grandmother. She was behind the sample counter at Trader Joe's smothering Sriracha ranch dressing on cooked portobello mushrooms. (You should try that-- deliciousness!)  

The second time came within the hour by a man flying a remote control helicopter at what I call a grownup toy store for men. Somehow the employees there know the difference from buyers and browsers with a quick scan, because they never offer to let me play with their toys. (That's okay, I'm not bitter and I don't want to play with their stupid helicopter anyways.)

Later that night the two experiences struck me as odd; although I ask friends and family the same questions all the time.

The sweet lady and the selfish employee both asked me, "Are you off from work today?" 

A valid question given that it was an early Thursday afternoon. 

The second question was, "What do you do?"

Two truths can be gleaned from these questions:

1) Time off matters.

People value time off from work. 

We were created in God's image. Time off is a basic need He placed within humanity. He set an example for us in this and later required His people to do this weekly. 

Reading this on a Monday isn't ideal when more than likely your work week begins. Taking time off though is vital to your spiritual, physical, and emotional health. 

Don't be so task and work driven 24/7. It is a good thing to take time off weekly. Start planning time off now.

2) Your work matters. 

Time off matters, but so does what you do.

"What do you do?" This is often asked to get a quick insight into a person. I always feel like I'm being sized up when asked this. More realistically, someone is probably looking for a connection point. But regardless--the question shows that your work matters. 

It does not matter what you do, your work matters. 

The Apostle Paul was a tent-maker. Stephen was a waiter. Peter was a fishermen. David looked after sheep. However, all of their work mattered. The Apostle Paul tells us that whatever we do, do it for the glory of God. King Solomon taught that all hard work brings a profit. The need to work is in our DNA just like taking time to rest is.

It's Monday.

More than likely you'll go to work today.

As you walk through that door today, just remember time off matters and so does what you do.