Dear Friends,
It has been said that every job is a self-portrait of the
person who performed it. It is true that our work is a clear reflection of our
character. What kind of workers are we? If we could ever drop in on our
employer’s conversation with a colleague, would we be flattered or embarrassed
by what we heard as they talked about us?
This makes me think of a story I read about a young man who
rushed into a service station and asked the manager if he had a pay phone. The
manager nodded and pointed to a nearby phone. The boy called a number and
waited for an answer. When the call was answered, the boy said in a deep
voice, “Sir, could you use an honest, hardworking young man to work for
you?”
The station manager couldn't help overhearing the question. After
a moment or two the boy said, “Oh, you already have an honest, hardworking
young man? Well, OK. Thanks just the same.” With a broad smile stretched across
his face, he hung up the phone and started back to his car, humming, and
obviously elated by what he heard.
“Hey, just a minute,” the station manager called after him. “I
couldn't help but hear your conversation. Why are you so happy? I thought the
guy said he already had somebody and didn't need you.”
The young man smiled, Well, you see, I am that honest, hardworking
young man, and I was just checking up on my job!”
We are employees working for the King of Kings, and because of
this our work should reflect His character. Whatever we do, we should seek to
do it the best we can. Good workers don't take shortcuts. They don’t cut
corners. If they say they are going to do something, you can be sure that it
will be done. They always autograph their work with excellence.
I taught a high school class on leadership many years ago, and
ringing in my mind was a question I often asked of my students to impress upon
them the importance of doing their best and never cutting corners. I would ask
them, “Did you paint the back door as well as the front door?"
I know there have been times in my life when I have done less than
my best, and when my answer would have been no to the question I asked. But
when this happens, I am often convicted of a verse I have memorized and
which I often use in closing out my personal letters. It is Colossians 3:23-24:
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not
for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the
Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”
And by the way, did you know that the extra mile is the only
stretch of the highway where there are never any traffic jams?”
Yours in faith and friendship,
Tom
P.S. Excellence is not a skill. It is an attitude.
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