Your Monday Morning Mediation

with Rev. Dr. Emmette Weir

Our scripture readings this bright and beautiful Bahamian Monday morning consists of two of the most inspiring sayings of Jesus, our Saviour and Lord:

"I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work."

John 9:4

"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me: for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest for your souls.

For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." Matt. 11 28 - 39

Guess when most heart attacks take place?

Well, according to a recent survey by an internationally recognized polling organization in the United States, most heart attacks occur on (you guessed it) Monday morning. Yes, that's right! More people suffer from heart attacks (the medical term is "cardiac arrest") on Monday morning than any other time in any given week!

What is the explanation for this phenomenon, which is quite alarming? Well, it's most interesting, and indeed, very important for us all to take most seriously!

So why so many heart attacks on Monday morning?

Well, according to the pundits who carried out this survey, a lot of people simply do not like the job that they are doing. The reasons for this disturbing trend are indeed, "many and varied."

Evidently, there are many people who are doing a job which they really do not like! In some instances, they feel that their talents are not being used. Many are convinced that they deserve better pay and working conditions. There are those who do not get along with their fellow employees and only tolerate working alongside them. And then there are those who feel intimidated by "their boss." And the list goes on and on.

There can be no doubt, then, that many people who are working do not like their work. This is why there are always those who "call in sick" whenever suffering from the most minor of maladies.

Why so many are "grouchy" on the job and so do not treat customers with the respect due to them. And, indeed, why so many rejoice to repeat on the last working day of the week, "TGIF" - thank God it's Friday!!!!!

Evidently, then, there are far too many people who are doing a job which they really don't like. And so, on Monday morning when they think of having to return to the same boring job, alongside the same employees they were glad to leave on Friday, and to be under the authority of the same 'bossy" employer, they become "stressed out" even before they get on the job. And, some become so "stressed out" that they suffer a heart attack ... on Monday morning!

Well how can we turn around this most disturbing situation? The answer is twofold, one long term and the other short term.

First and foremost, you must understand that there is "all the difference in the world" between "your job" and "your work." Here eminent Bahamian Minister of the Gospel, Dr. Myles Munroe, President of Bahamas Faith Ministries International, has a most valuable contribution to make. You see, in a most illuminating teaching session, telecast on Jones communication network on Sunday, September 9, he pointed out that we must distinguish sharply between "our job" and "our work." According to the Bahamian theologian, "a job" is what you do to make a living, but your "work" is what God created you to do, the purpose for your being here on planet earth today. Concisely, a job is what we do in order to be paid, whether we like it or not, but our work brings us great joy because we are fulfilling God's purpose for our life. When the disciples spoke to Jesus about his ministry and the work he was doing, he answered in the words of our first scripture reading. "I must work the works of him that sent me while it is day, night cometh when no man can work." Jesus was "a man with a mission." He came into the world to save sinners, to proclaim the Gospel and to show us how we ought to live. As such he was deeply satisfied with the wok he was doing and so at Calvary could declare "it is finished"! He set the example for how we should regard our work, the purpose for which God created us.

What does all this mean? Simply this: If you are doing a job you do not like, if you are not finding fulfillment in it, you do not feel that in doing it you are in line with God's will for your life, then it makes no sense to remain in that job. Rather you should seek to discern God's purpose for your life and strive to serve in a capacity in which you are in line with his plan for your life. Why stay on a job year after year which you really do not like and feel no real sense of fulfillment or that you are using to the best of your ability, the talents that God has endowed you with!

So much for the long term but what can you do about improving the attitude you have to your job? Well, you can begin by taking a more positive approach to Monday morning.

This means that instead of being "stressed out" on Monday morning, you should begin the day with thanksgiving - thanking God that you have lived to see another Monday morning. For, "globally speaking," bear in mind that there are those who left work on Friday and have not lived to return to work ... today!!!

So, begin Monday, and indeed, every day, by repeating a Psalm of praise such as "this is the day that the Lord hath made: we will rejoice and be glad in it!"

That will get you "off to a good start" every day.

Then, it would be good to take time to relax, to "take it easy" as we Bahamians say, and to make plans for the week ahead. Take time to be holy, do not take yourself or life too seriously. Learn how important it is just to trust in the Lord.

Here, the words of our second scripture reading are most relevant: "come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me: for I am meek and lowly in heart: And ye shall find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

Here, the gentle Master extends the invitation to us to place our trust in him, to abandon all our anxiety and planning and to remain confident that he will take care of us. We do need his assurance, this balm which brings us strength and causes us to relax and let God take control. For, you see, far too many of us, even the very young, complain about being "stressed out."

Several years ago, when I was serving as Pastor of St. Paul's Church here in Freeport, I invited the Rev. Fr. Norman Lightbourne to preach at one of our Sunday morning services. The dynamic Anglican preacher began by declaring that too many persons complain of "being stressed out" rather than placing their trust in God. Judging from the "amens" and expressions on the faces, it was evident that he had struck a note that resonated with the members of his congregation.

Well, all I can say to you is this: if there are people who become so "stressed out" about returning to the job on Monday that there are those who suffer a "heart attack," then you had better do all you can to avoid "stress" especially on Monday morning!

What am I saying to you? That on Monday morning you should begin with thanksgiving. Then you should relax as you place your trust in God, reflecting on the plans for the week, doing what you can and leaving the rest to God.

Yes, it is true! It's essential to approach Monday morning, the first working day of the week, with an attitude of thanksgiving and in a positive manner of thinking. And that's why you need "your Monday morning meditation" or should it be "medication?"