We are heading into what are known as the “dog days” of Summer – the last month of Summer tends to bring hotter temps and a slow- it- down, vacation mindset. It takes persistence and focus to continue to be faithful to your work in the “dog days” of Summer. Whether in your full-time job or your Direct Sales job, God has provided that job as your mission field, and His expectations are that we use the gifts and talents He has given us, regardless of the circumstances. We are to make adjustments and persist in our work, as God has given us ability to do, and then patiently trust Him for the results, even during the “dog days”. Colossians 3:23 is our key to excel regardless of the circumstances, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart as working for the Lord, not for man.”.
A remarkable example of persisting in his work regardless of his circumstances is found in the life of Joseph. In Genesis 37, we meet Joseph, one of 12 sons of his father, Jacob. Joseph was his father’s favorite son and Jacob doted over Joseph, even having a special colorful coat made for him. Jacob did Joseph no favor in this kind of behavior, as Joseph’s brothers became increasingly jealous of him. His brothers became so jealous that they threw him into a pit until they came up with a plan to sell him to slave traders going to Egypt, and then tell their father, Jacob, that he had been killed by wild animals. But God had a plan for Joseph’s life, no matter what the circumstances were at the time. Joseph was bought as a slave by Potipher, the head of Pharoh’s household! Joseph decided he would work hard and do his best at his new “job”, no matter the circumstances, because he knew that’s what God would want. Though Joseph would have much preferred to be back home, working for his father in a comfortable job, he made the best of the circumstances in front of him. (see Genesis 39).
Joseph trusted God and used his talents and gifts as best as he could despite extremely difficult circumstances. And God was faithful to Joseph! God blessed Joseph in his work. Joseph’s boss recognized his work ethic and promoted him to the highest position. Joseph persisted in his work with integrity, even in his “dog days”. He demonstrated the key to excel – persist with integrity. Because of that, “…the Lord gave him success in everything he did….” (Gen 39:3).
The key to excel during your “dog days” is the same – persist with integrity, because you, too, work for the Lord, Who longs to bless you in your work and give you success in all you do!
