Whistling has never been my forte. God gave me a melodious voice for singing, but my whistler has never quite developed.
However, the idea of whistling while you work has always been intriguing to me since I first enjoyed Walt Disney’s original cinematic version of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. The animated version was first shown in 1937 — some years before my birth
I’ve always enjoyed the working experience, but I must confess there have been times some tasks were not as enjoyable as others.
Back in 1963, two months working on a crew paving city streets in the heat of a South Central Texas summer, was challenging yet rewarding.
That summer job certainly motivated me to get that college sheepskin. Serving my country during an extended 18-month tour in Vietnam was quite challenging and exhilarating as well.
As you can imagine, I still have many vivid memories that dramatically affected my life.
Scripture has much to say about work. In fact, in Genesis 3 after the fall of Adam and Eve, in verse 19 we hear God speak, “… By the sweat of your brow, you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return.”
Work is not a curse. Sweat of the brow is good — at least that’s the way I was raised by my parents. Hard work pays rewards, and it certainly puts a song in my heart still.
Listen to the wisdom of King Solomon found in Ecclesiastes 5:18: “Then I realized that it is good and proper for a man to eat and drink, and to find satisfaction in his toilsome labor under the sun the few days of life God has given him — for this is his lot.”
In essence, work is one of the many blessings our Creator has bestowed on His ultimate creation. And that’s as good a reason as any to whistle while we work.
In recent years, I’ve come to realize that there’s my work and then there’s God’s work.
These days, I still dabble in my insurance business. Much of that workload entails serving my existing clients.
And much more of my time is spent working for my Lord as He sees fit to use me for His purpose.
In Colossians 3:23, the Apostle Paul prescribes to all who follow Christ, “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
Here’s my bottom line. Since God has given us work as His pleasure, I want to be used by Him as long as I’m able and I will be silently whistling, knowing that He is pleased with the song in my heart!
May you find that sweet spot in your work life as well.