I've been at home for the past few weeks searching for a job for the summer.

I've had a bit of time to think about why we work. I've had to ask myself that question, why do I want to work? Initially, I deceived myself, thinking it was for honourable purposes (i.e. helping out at home). To be honest, I just wanted the money. There was much to learn. I think my relationship with money has changed over the past couple weeks, especially since I've been hanging out with equally poor friends. I realize I have spent a lot of money on clothes that I don't need, pedals that I hardly use, and products that I hardly use to clean myself with. I'm a fool. My relationship with money can't be one of servitude to money. Driven by a Ferengi (correct me if I'm wrong here) ethic, I can't imagine any of my thoughts, actions, or words would be honouring to Him.¹

Spending my days at home, I realize that having a job requires less discipline than not having one. Having a job creates something to wake up to the next morning, a task to work towards during the day, and a home to return to at the end. Unemployed, you are free. There are no limits to what you can do, what you can experience. However, you are free. You are free to lounge around at home, play video games, lie in bed all day, read and watch stupid videos, write on your stupid blog, and ultimately, free to make a big waste of your unemployment.

How long will you lie there, O sluggard? When will you arise from your sleep?
Proverbs 6:9

God convicted me of how I was wasting my unemployment. The very fact that I live and breathe at this very moment is a testimony to His grace in my life.

Summer vacation is fast approaching for high school students. The summer's half done for the university folk. What are we doing with the time God has given us?

By the grace of God, I've actually received employment for the summer! My good friend called me from his workplace and told me that there was a vacancy. I'm going to be filling in for the IT guy, but most of my duties will be clerical. I don't mind. To God be the glory.

Here's a (poorly made) list of the lessons learned during unemployment:

• Sleep early, wake early. I often reasoned that because I was unemployed, I could sleep later, and wake up later. Most of my day ended up being lost to sinful sleep and since no one would be up at 1:00am, I was losing out on time better spent in community with friends and family.²
• Actively look for meaningful work. I don't necessarily mean a paid job, but something meaningful, such as volunteering at a hospital or your local church.³
• Keep from inactivity. This is key, as the lack of directed purpose often leads to the development of habitual sin, including laziness.
• Be on guard for hard thoughts of God. I often found myself in a state of anger and bitterness at my current situation, requiring my repentance. I had not recognized that already God had blessed me much.⁴
• Meet with people, outside of your home. I isolated myself at home for the first two weeks, lamenting over my situation and haphazardly searching for work. I desired human contact so much so that I was glad that Mormons showed up at my door.⁵
• Read meaningful books. I admit I'm not the best person to talk about reading as my list of reading has consisted of a yearly ritual of Robertson Davies' magnum opus, The Deptford Trilogy, and far too much from the theology and spiritual life. However, on that note, I have been reading A.W. Pink's The Doctrine of Sanctification and finished Tim Keller's The Reason for God. Both are excellent.⁶
• Develop a daily routine, including exercise and communion with God. Recently I've been trying to keep to a daily ritual (poor choice of word) of waking up to commune with God, meditating on His Word, reviewing school work, reading some theology, listening to sermons, preparing for some church classes, and sometimes, meeting up with friends. Having focus during the day helps immensely.