Deuteronomy 15:10. “Give generously to them and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to.”
Faith, Trust, and Hope
I have been in a season of prayer recently where I look to God for comfort as work is not a constant, and worry wants to overtake my dreams.
I work because I love what I do and I consider it a “calling. But some days, it is harder than others.
My hope is in the Lord who gives me strength.
Have you been called?
Path of life sculpture garden, Windsor, VT, October 9th, 2010
I sell real estate for a living. It is my calling.
Everyone is “called” to do something. It is the wise person who listens to that voice directing you on your life’s path and leads you to success if done right. You must know with absolute certainty that this is what you were meant to do.
If you feel like what you do is work, an obligation or drudgery, it is not your calling.
When you love your job, look forward to work and the day’s journey; you have found your calling. If you can’t wait to help others, then you have found your calling.
Some people might call it passion. But you can be passionate about something and it is not your calling.
Martin Luther King said it best:
“If a man is called to be a street sweeper, he should sweep streets even as a Michaelangelo painted, or Beethoven composed music or Shakespeare wrote poetry. He should sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will pause to say, ‘Here lived a great street sweeper who did his job well.”
Whatever you are called to do…do it well.
Do it with conviction.
Do it diligently.
Do it with persistence.
Do it.
God will bless you for it.
Awards and Rewards
I work hard at my daily job which has been to sell real estate for over 25 years. In return, I am often given awards for my accomplishments.
For a person who likes to hear good news and who likes to be acknowledged, rewards honestly mean little to me. I think I have thrown away most of these trophies over the years as I consider them thoughtful but not good for keeping myself focused.
Awards tend to make us think in the past. I like to think of what I am going to accomplish in the future.
I’m not one to dwell on previous performance – I am always looking forward to what is coming next. There is just something about my spirit that takes pride in a job well done. I don’t need a piece of hardware to make me feel special.
However, there is one exception to this rule. I seek God’s approval. God makes me feel special. He has blessed me with a career that I love and a chance to share it with others. That’s reward enough.
In my world, God’s number one.
“I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind, to reward each person according to their conduct, according to what their deeds deserve.” Jeremiah 17:10
Kind words matter…
This has been an exhausting week in the real estate world. Three closings and more contracts coming in. I’m not complaining – I love my job. But, it is a lot of work and I have been a wee bit tired.
However, today I was reminded that it’s not all about the money (not that I have ever really thought so) because it is really about positive feedback on a job well done and knowing you have done your best.
Today, I received a lovely compliment from a very unexpected source and it thrilled me to the core. It is a vivid reminder that we should compliment people daily and thank them for even the smallest of things. It can make such a huge difference in someone’s life.
I know my day has blossomed into something special and I’m walking on air just from a few kind words.
What a lovely feeling.
Kind words are like honey–sweet to the soul and healthy for the body. Proverbs 16:24
What you do with your life matters…
In my profession of real estate, I am typically highly competitive as I try to serve buyers and sellers in Central Florida.
Recently, I presented a great proposal for a new listing and should have easily been given this home to sell. However, the Sellers chose someone else. In the past, I would have been very critical of myself and disappointed at losing a listing. But something has changed in me.
I realize that I can’t remember now how many listings I have lost and how many homes I have sold in the last 25 years. I know I have sold more than I lost. But, at the end of the day, it doesn’t matter, because I have never been hungry, I’ve never been homeless and my needs have been met. I don’t think I am special, I just firmly believe in the One that holds my future.
What I do with my life matters…what you do with your life matters too. It’s not all about your job; it is about the statement you make when your job goes well or when things go poorly. I believe that in all times you hold your head high and you praise Jesus. How you react to great things and great adversity are a direct reflection of your faith.
Jobs will come and go but Jesus is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. When I want to worry about something, I’ll worry about pleasing God.
God has been good to me in the best of times and the worst of times. In my book, that beats anything of this world. I’m blessed indeed.
We Shall Come Rejoicing 