Don’t Wait for The Weekend to Live a Happy Life
I’m a Doer. I love tasks, to-do lists, and the satisfaction of a good day’s work. I’m as giddy at 8 a.m. on a Monday morning, as some people are at 5 p.m. on a Friday!
I used to feel guilty about all of that. I would think to myself: If I were a better Christian, I’d be a little less Martha, and a lot more Mary.
But then I took my own dare toward happiness, and I realized something very important about myself. My “Doing” is evidence that I’m made in the image of God, too.
As Doers, we can draw great happiness from our work, knowing it brings glory to God. “Whatever you do,” Paul wrote, “work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters” (Colossians 3:23).
Furthermore, I have discovered that — as a Doer — I am in good company.
God was the ultimate Doer!
“Once upon a time, God created the world that we’re living in. For six days straight, he showed up at work and made stuff. He was a Doer, happily creating protozoa and polar caps, puffer fish and pansies and peacocks. How can we be so sure he was happy while breathing stars and sculpting the Cliffs of Moher? Because he declared it good. God saw what he made and took pleasure in it. A Creator who declares his work good is a Creator who is delighted. Imagine him with a smile at the end of his workday, not as some frustrated guy in middle management who shuffles out the door at five o’clock while rolling his eyes. God is a happy Doer. And he made us the same way.” (The Happiness Dare, p. 80-81)
Behold the creativity of God, in a peacock feather!
On the sixth day of creation, God kicked his doing up to a whole other level. He made Adam. But before he gave Adam a mate, he gave him work. Before he gave him an outfit to wear, he gave him a job.
Doers show us what it’s like to draw happiness from our work. Doers take delight in making meals, writing poems, straightening teeth, x-raying broken bones, nursing babies, and even mopping floors.
What does that mean for us? It means we have permission to actually enjoy our jobs, our productivity, and our accomplishments. We can take delight in finishing our tasks — big or small. And we can know that when we’re doing it, we’re reflecting the Ultimate Doer himself: God.
Be affirmed today if you describe yourself as a Doer. You don’t wait for the weekend to live a happy life!
What’s your Happiness Style?
You can take the Happiness Style Assessment by clicking right here. In five minutes or less, you’ll discover what truly makes you happy. Don’t worry if you don’t end up as a Doer! God encompasses all the other styles, too. 🙂
By taking the test, you’ll discover your strengths, and also some “red flags.” Take the test here.
Thousands of people have already discovered their “happiness style.” Do you know yours? Take the test, and find out in five minutes what truly makes you happy. Find it right here: https://jenniferdukeslee.com/happiness-style/
Such a great post 😉 and it reminds me of a revelation I had recently when I read John 11:5 “Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus” .. For some reason we feel like we should be more like Mary but I’m sure it brings Him joy if we simply choose Him – even if it’s in the ‘doing’… every day of the week and not only on the ‘rest days’ 😉
I love your insights! Thanks for sharing.
What a great test. It confirmed to me why I find delight in giving gifts and talking to people. I am a giver, first, nurturer second. I have often felt guilty because I can sit and listen to someone “dump” for hours even though I have a dozen things on my to-do list. Or, I will stretch my grocery budget to extreme so that I can have people to dinner or take them meals. For me, crossing things off my to-do list never brings the satisfaction that sharing time with a hurting person or providing for their needs does. God wired us all differently, because the world NEEDS all kinds of people. If we all listened and gave gifts, nothing would ever get done, but if we ALL were busy workers, no one would feel nurtured.
I am really excited to read your book.
Hi Jennifer. My style is a giver with thinker as a close 2nd. I loved the word challenge that came in my email. The one that touched me the most is to remember we are not wrongfully made, but we are wonderfully made. So often in my life I have wondered what is wrong with me, and it was especially tormenting me at the time I read that email. I’m trying to keep reminding myself. 🙂 Blessings and hugs to you!
You were describing me today. Hope you describe the other three in more depth in the coming weeks. It’s fun learning how we are all different and have unique gifts to share.