If you are like so many people (including myself) there have been times during the week when you have thought “I can’t wait for the weekend” or “I can’t wait for my day off from work or vacation”. All week long we drink coffee, energy drinks, and other stimulants with the intent of racing through work, school, and other things that don’t necessarily bring us loads of happiness. We sprint to the weekend, and when we get there, we try to do whatever we can to slow down the clock. Some people fill their weekend with alcohol, a depressant that seemingly slows down the clock. All of a sudden it’s Monday morning again, and you’re commenting to your co-workers “I hate Mondays”.
If any of that sounds like you, you might be wasting a good portion of your life. Think about it, if your joy in life revolves around 29% of the week (2 days), you are wasting the other 71% (5 days). That doesn’t have to be the case though. While you will always likely look forward to the weekend because it is your time away from work and school, you can make some changes that make it so you look forward to everyday of the week.
What can you do differently to avoid living for the weekend? Consider these 5 ideas that have worked for me:
1) God has designed you to work hard (Genesis 1-3). Hard work is pleasing to God. Hating your job is not pleasing to God. I’ve done a variety of jobs from grocery, to retail, to management, to IT, to scrubbing toilets (and other janitorial related work). Every job has its pluses and minuses. I could easily find things about each job that I dislike. I could just as easily find things about each job that I enjoy. Hating your job is more of a reflection of your character than it is of how terrible the job actually is. If you do everything to the glory of God (1 Cor 10:31) then you also do your job to glorify God. Don’t suffer through your job with a negative attitude. Don’t sprint through the work week trying to make it to the weekend (where you can forget your misery). Take steps to change your outlook on your work, and find ways to take joy out of every shift.
2) Do random things that aren’t on “the schedule”. Some people can’t make it a day without their schedule. Everything has to be planned, and the plan must be followed to the T without exception. While this may be an efficient way to live life, it is also a quick path to burning out. You don’t have to max out your schedule for Monday – Friday, with the intent of relaxing on the weekend. It is OK to say no to people, to leave time open on the schedule, and to randomly change your schedule at the last minute. Don’t wait until Saturday to spice up life and do some random things. Take your wife out to dinner (before she starts cooking). Take your husband to the video game store. Turn off the TV and head to the beach for a picnic. Whatever the case, occasionally ditch the schedule and do things you enjoy on weekdays, not just the weekend.
3) Spend time with your spouse and family every day of the week. The busier you are, the more likely that you will neglect your friendships and family. It is too easy to get caught up in schoolwork, or to become overly committed at work. A lot of people devote their weekends to their family and spend the other 71% distracted with work or school (or both). Don’t be a weekend parent or spouse, be a daily parent or spouse. Maximize your time with your loved ones. If your wife is cooking dinner, randomly pop in the kitchen to assist her. If your husband is watching football, join him on the couch and ask him what the rules are. If your kids are drawing pictures on the table, grab some markers and draw some funny pictures. Be conscious of your loved ones as you never know how much time you will get with them. Imagine devoting 71% of your life to work, only to sleep walk through the other 29% when you are around the people who love you unconditionally. That’s a wasted life in my book.
4) Volunteer at your church. Your church has all kinds of things going on throughout the week. Christianity isn’t just a Sunday thing, it’s a Monday through Sunday thing. Don’t just assume someone else has it under control. That someone else might be on the verge of burning out (violating points 2 &3) because no other volunteers are there to relieve them. Your church needs your help throughout the week. In my experience, it has been very beneficial in my walk with the Lord when I have volunteered on weekdays. In the past I have volunteered on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, and these occasions gave me opportunities to meet new people, build friendships, and get to know my pastors better. Many people complain that they don’t know their pastor very well, well, why don’t you volunteer at your church and work alongside him? that’s a great way to get to know him (and his family) better. If your complaint is you don’t know anyone from your church, sign up for a mid week bible study (home group, life group, community group, whatever your church calls it). That’s a great way to get plugged in to your church.
5) Don’t rely on Sunday service to feed you spiritually. When you think “church” you probably think about that 1-2 hour chunk of time on Sunday morning (afternoon if you’re Russian) when you sing songs, pray, tithe, take the sacrament (bread and juice), and listen to a sermon. Church is a weekend event for many folks. If your Christian experience is exclusively a weekend thing, you’re wasting your week. Don’t be a Sunday Christian, be an everyday Christian. Set aside time every day, whether it be first thing in the morning, during your lunch break, or before you go to bed, to dive into God’s Word. Set aside time every day for prayer. Spend time every day seeking out answers for questions that have popped into your head. Ask your dad a question about the bible (he might be thrilled you asked him)! Ask your wife what she thinks about some spiritual issue. Buy an interesting Christian book. Watch a sermon online from one of your favorite preachers. Don’t live your whole week submerged in filth only to roll into church on Sunday expecting magically be made holy.
You don’t have to live for the weekend anymore. You don’t have to over-caffeinate in order to sprint to the “enjoyable” days of the week. You don’t have to watch hours and hours of TV. You don’t have to devote 71% of your time to things that don’t matter (as much) in the grand scheme of things. Take some practical steps right now to make every day a day that glorifies God, and brings you joy.
The Religious Nerd 