Fulfilled or Unfulfilled through work?

God at work unanswered questions wk4

Experience of being unfulfilled picture by Dan McLeary - Tanya

Peter Sellick, CIGB

Group exercise: 5 reasons you go to work: fulfilment is balance of reasons We work for: satisfaction, relationships, gain power, calling, earn money, rhythm, creation, certainty, self development, interesting, use skills, making a difference Should we be expected to be fulfilled? We are usually unfulfilled before we can be fulfilled.. on a time path Disciples were frequently wrong/confused/unfulfilled? Do we have a right to be comfortable? Sword will pierce your heart too Luke 2:35 Matt 10:34 Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. Is being faithful the same as being fulfilled can be faithful and not totally fulfilled? If the corporate body is being fulfilled? eg marriage, company, partnership? See the bigger picture including the picture of our faith. Where does being called by God fit into reasons for work/effort? Is fulfilment an individualistic thing: should we be wishing that our neighbour is fulfilled? Question is HOW MUCH FULFILLED? When decide to switch, when stay; is there something else you can move to? Knowing how others are getting on. Compare ourselves.. know too much? On other hand always people worse off.. picture of Brazilian coal mine workers working by hand (by Salgado): who has a lighter sack of coal is Irenaeus said The glory of God is human fully alive; human fully alive is human glorifying God. To help people be fully alive is language that some churches use about Mission. But can we ever get there? Other side of being fully alive according to Irenaeus is human glorifying God how can we glorify God what does that mean. Group exercise: How can you glorify God more in your work. Being honest, sharing faith, being thankful, remembering the bigger picture, seeing if my neighbour is being fulfilled.. Henri Nouwen Reflections on Painting by Rembrandt: The Prodigal Son Story of unfulfilled people younger son, older son, father. Is reconciled by bringing people back into relationship, into togetherness. Rembrandt himself was spendthrift, got into debt; also jealous of others success could see himself in the story? Nouwen also sees himself in the story we all a sometimes like these characters Nouwen suggests that in the end we need to become like the Father of Prodigal Son who is wounded, almost blind in the painting. To be blessing, saying good things to others, despite what has happened. With experience and learning we pass through being the younger and elder sons to

become more like the Father. (To be like younger and elder son is not necessarily always wrong always there is a time for going away and a time for demanding justice.. also Father in Lukes story not blameless why children behave as they did? Did he show favouritism?) Younger Son desire to go out and prove oneself searching for unconditional love where it cannot be found?.. Leaving home because you dont think that home is where you are. Push yourself out to a foreign place, a disconnected place. Dont realise that you are Beloved as you are? Son Elder obedient (dressed like the Father) but complaining; there are things that havent been said, should have been said before. Comparing himself to others and has not had such an exciting time. He doesnt come in keeping distance.. we need to stop comparing with others (cf In the parable of the Labourers in Vineyard why do the early workers have to compare themselves with later oneswhy not simply happy with what they have received (which is agreed days wage). Elder son not content with what he has Father God doesnt compare; he loves us all equally as we are. John 14:2: there many rooms in my fathers house. Father and Sons are one. God is Home for each of us. John 16:15 All that is mine is also my Fathers. Fathers gift is to be able to say good things (Latin benedicere to bless, means to say good things) despite all that has happened. We need to learn to become like Father to practise Trust and Gratitude. Saying Good Things. Trust that God wants me as I am. I am important enough. Recognise how much is pure gift this puts the issues of individual fulfillment/unfulfillment into perspective? Exercise: Practising Gratitude and Trust how? Find time to do so; make time to do the things that feed you then you can feed others.? 11 Feb 2013