Do You Complain about your Work Out?

Each day when I check in at 24-hour Fitness, the staff will say “Enjoy your workout!” And I laugh to myself because if I thought of it as work, I wouldn't enjoy it; and I'm sure you would hear me complaining about having to go to the gym!

Complaining about one's ‘work’ is universal: 70% of Americans say they feel so unfulfilled, they hate their jobs. Solomon said, “I hated [my work] because everything done here under the sun is meaningless—like chasing the wind” (Eccl. 2:17). But then added, “There is nothing better for people than to be happy in their work; it is the gift of God” (Eccl. 3:13, 12, 22). If we could see our work as divinely purposed, I'm sure it would cut down on the complaining!

Solomon also said, “Without a vision, people perish,” roughly translated, “when we can’t see with God’s eyes, we fall apart.” Jesus saw His work through God’s eyes: “I brought glory to you here on earth by completing the work you gave me to do” (John 17:4). Paul completed his work with the same satisfaction: “I have fought the good fight, finished the race, and kept the faith” (2 Tim. 4:7-8). And wouldn't we all like to say we finished our “workout” (Phil 2:12)—without complaining (Phil 2:14)!