Consecrating your work

[JaredR]

The Imitation says that we can make all things spiritually profitable. I want to know how to profit spiritually from my studies, particularly. I have to commit so much time to my courses, it feels like I am always too busy. I want to spend my time in prayer or spiritual reading, but that isn’t always possible. How can I feel like I am doing something for God and not wasting it all on school? :juggle:

 

[baltobetsy]

The Imitation says that we can make all things spiritually profitable. I want to know how to profit spiritually from my studies, particularly. I have to commit so much time to my courses, it feels like I am always too busy. I want to spend my time in prayer or spiritual reading, but that isn’t always possible. How can I feel like I am doing something for God and not wasting it all on school? :juggle:

Jared, aren’t you an admirer of St. Josemaria Escriva? His whole spirituality is about converting work into prayer. You can probably search this idea on www.escrivaworks.org. I just tried it with the words “work into prayer” in the search box, and I got a lot of great stuff.

You make a morning offering at the beginning of the day, including everything you do. At the beginning of each hour or class or subject studied or whatever logical place to begin, stop briefly (less than a minute, really) and offer that hour to God for a particular intention. Ask for the grace to do the work (study) as perfectly as possible so it is a pleasing offering to Him, then do your absolute best. Lather, rinse, repeat all day long! At the end of the day, when it’s time for your evening examination of conscience, take a look back over how well you did. Give thanks for what you did well, apologize for what you did poorly, and make a specific resolution about your work (study) for the next day.

Betsy

 

[bkayw]

After 30 years of work, some work days feel like crucifixion instead of consecration.

 

[edward_george]

Just because your studies don’t feel like they’re worthwhile in terms of the spiritual life, you are simply living out your vocation as it stands now. You are in school, and so you are called to be a student. When bright-eyed freshmen with dreams of being the next Theresa of Avila would come to the Abbot of the monastery which ran my alma mater, asking about vocational discernment, his answer was nearly always the same: You are a student. You should be living out that vocation as fully as possibly. Do not think of your studies as a waste, but as a gift from God–a gift which you can put toward your future vocation, whether it is to priesthood, religious life, or something else. Don’t like your literature classes? You need to be able to read and write and think critically, especially for a priestly or religious vocation, and definitely for other things as well. Don’t like your math classes? They help more than you can know. I could go on. Just thank God that he has allowed you to get the kind of education you are, and seek to make each day of your schooling a gift to God in return for his graciousness to you. If you would like a good way of sanctifying your day that can be prayed in between the tasks of your day, I’d recommend praying the Liturgy of the Hours. You can usually find it (I’d recommend Christian Prayer if you’re just starting out) fairly reasonably priced on Amazon or Barnes and Noble. PM me if you’d like more info.

-ACEGC

 

[Monica4316]

I think that by simply doing God’s will, we are already pleasing Him, regardless of what it is think of how the religious have to do simple tasks around the monastery but they consecrate that to God… since you are in school, that is God’s will for you right now, and if you try to do it well for Him, it would have spiritual benefit as well (perhaps in terms of discipline)

God bless!

 

[cmscms]

Hi Jared,

Great post, great question !

God calls us to work and school is training for work. I am sure your school would offer workshops on how to manage time so I won’t bother posting anything about that. But keep in mind, once in the work force, although different you will have deadlines and pressure to solve problems properly to get that raise or promotion. In other words, don’t see school as ‘the most time consuming thing in your life’, realize it is preparation for what is to come. (not trying to discourage you)

Now for the including God in work. Here is what I have been doing lately, and yes I am feeling more fulfilled in work. Whenver I use the word work, substitute school

1-) Sitting on the bus on the way to work, I thank God for the abilities He has given me and the opportunity to put them to use

2-) When I can not figure out a solution to a task at hand, I take 15 seconds and ask God for guidance.

3-) When I solve a problem efficiently, I thank God for showing me the answer

4-) This is something I want to do more often, when people do things at work that rub me the wrong way, I ask God to help me respect their right to earn a living and be there

I feel more productive and more satisfied when I incorporate God in the day to day aspects of work.

There is a time to read and pray and learn about his word. There is also a time to be active (ie go to school) and live out his word. Both are equally important

CM