Rise and Shine

With Obama’s announcement of an additional 50 billion dollar initiative to help with the USA’s infrastructure, I recalled how important it is to set aside days, like Labor Day, to remember the value of hard work, whether it is “white collar” or “blue collar.” Everyone needs to feel appreciated as they labor in their respective jobs. Cary Cherniss has written a book entitled Beyond Burnout: Helping Teachers, Nurses, Therapists, and Lawyers Recover from Stress and Disillusionment. He concluded that satisfaction in one’s work comes from meaning, recognition, autonomy and remuneration. He said the work must be “meaningful if members of any profession are to be satisfied and committed.” How do people define “meaningful? They define it as activity done for a cause, for loved ones, or for a higher being. May we all have work that is “meaningful” and ultimately brings glory to God!

Rise and Shine

Jesus was an incredible man. He even emphasized His humanity quite often by referring to Himself as son of man. He seems to have wanted us to know that He could totally empathize and sympathize with our human condition. You may remember what Hebrews 4:15 says: “For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.” There is no doubt that Jesus faced the same type of trials and temptations that we face.