You will know that your job is your ‘calling’ when you do what you love, and love what you do. Philanthropist and industrialist Andrew Carnegie said: ‘The average person puts only 25 per cent of their energy and ability into their work. The world takes off its hat to those who put in more than 50 per cent, and stands on its head for those few and far-between souls who devote 100 per cent.’

Thomas Edison loved work. In his latter years he established Menlo Park, the world’s first factory for making nothing but inventions. It was a forerunner to the private research laboratories now maintained by so many large companies. At Menlo Park Edison promised to turn out ‘a minor invention every ten days, and a big thing every six months or so’. At one point he was working on forty-seven things at once. Other inventors may have been richer, but no inventor has ever been more enthusiastic or successful.

When you believe that what you do makes a difference, you have a different feeling about what you do. When you believe your job has worth in God’s eyes, you’re no longer vulnerable to the critics or dependent upon the cheerleaders. Paul said, ‘I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me.’ (Acts 20:24 NIV)

One of the last prayers Jesus prayed was, ‘I have brought You glory on earth by finishing the work You gave Me to do.’ (John 17:4 NIV) If you are serious about pleasing God, make that your prayer too.