“Relaxed.” That’s how one spiritual mentor said he would describe Jesus in just one word. At first, it sounds a bit off base. I mean, what about “holy” or “merciful” or “Friend?”
Then I got thinking about it. How can you be merciful if you’re all stressed out? How can you be a friend if you’re too crazy busy to be present? And chasing idols of promotion, achievement and people-pleasing is not holy.
Relaxed. That’s at the heart of Jesus’ character and saving work. Think about it. Jesus worked in the world’s greatest work stress environment ever to exist.
The demands came directly from God the Father without any room for error. Keep the Law perfectly without sin all the time.
Jesus’ co-workers in his church work included Pharisees, peers in ministry who called him a liar, slandered his name and eventually crucified him.
Jesus’ apprentices were disciples who, at least during their time with Jesus, showed signs of misunderstanding, slow learning and quick arguing.
And Jesus carried the curse of all the world’s sins, all the wrongful work drama caused by selfishness and cliques, all the pride of employers and bosses concerned more about profit and their position than other people. Jesus dealt with that. All of it like a huge HR file he dragged to his death, where he paid for it with his perfect life.
Yet Jesus didn’t walk around anxiously. He made himself extremely interruptible when he was on a project, to listen to a widow, heal a blind man or gather children around him.
Jesus didn’t worry about everything that he wasn’t getting done. His to-do list didn’t threaten him with false guilt.
As a matter of fact, the Bible describes Jesus as joyful. He had so much fun, his tightly wound religious critics called him a “glutton and a drunkard” (Luke 7:34). Jesus was the life of the party, in a most appropriate, loving and holy way.
People were attracted to Jesus not only because he offered salvation, but he carried himself in a balanced, gentle, resilient, humble yet confident manner. Jesus could do this because he set work boundaries.
Jesus didn’t heal everyone who asked for healing. Jesus didn’t preach in all the towns who asked for his preaching. Jesus didn’t travel the world on a salvation tour. Jesus slept at night, and even one time he took a nap in a boat while his disciples were fighting a furious storm.
“The disciples went and woke him, saying, ‘Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!’ He replied, ‘You of little faith, why are you so afraid?’ Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm” (Matthew 8:25,26).
What are your work boundaries? Are you answering emails at 11pm? Do you spend weekends making sure clients get five star customer service? Are you the leader of the “overtime” club at work, recognized as doing whatever it takes for the company’s success?
These behaviors can be just as unholy and unhealthy as they appear to be helpful.
Australia is the latest country to enact a new law setting boundaries for employers, who are fined if they get in touch with an employee outside established work hours. According to the prime minister, if people don’t get paid to work 24 hours a day, then they shouldn’t have to work 24 hours a day.
Check out the article below from TIME magazine “Australia’s New Right to Disconnect Law Allows Workers to Ignore Calls and Emails After Hours.” Along with it, communicate with your ultimate Boss for more clarity about your own work boundaries.
That’s Jesus. He’s your boss’s boss, and can tell you more about the perfect boundaries.
PRAYER: Dear Jesus, your work boundaries freed you to be the best at your job. Forgive my pride and fears that violate healthy boundaries and allow work to rule me more than it should. Give me grace, guidance and courage to clarify better boundaries and live a more fulfilled life. Amen.
READ THIS: “Australia’s New Right to Disconnect Law Allows Workers to Ignore Calls and Emails After Hours.” https://time.com/7014775/australia-right-to-disconnect-law-work-calls-employers-fine/