To the limits

MOST OF US DESIRE TO BE EXCELLENT OR BE AT THE TOP of our peers. At work, we would push ourselves to the limits of our capabilities. We would want to surpass the achievement of others, of those who are ahead of us or even that of our own records of success. The desire to be greater and to always improve is very much alive in most of us. This is indeed a very important factor in attaining what we aim at in life and at work. This drive for greatness within us is not just natural in us; we should realize that it is a gift from God, who challenges us to be always like Him as He has "created man in His image and likeness". The effort we do to push ourselves to our limits should be done with such faith that God and His power is what really counts in attaining true greatness in life and in work. The role of God in our work must be accepted by the worker if he wants to reach the heights without breaking his back or ruining himself.

This reminder about God as the source of all that we are is never enough; workers who tend to be too absorbed in the work and the energy needed to accomplish the tasks could forget about this reality. And when the worker relies only on his abilities and efforts, while he may accomplish much in terms of work load and/or material results, he may experience something still wanting in his "success". Why? Because the truth is, that it is through God's power alone that we creatures can do anything worthwhile. We somehow cannot attribute to ourselves what we are and what we do; or, I think, we would be "stealing" from God the honor and glory due Him for what He has done through us and in us. We really need a deep faith to humbly accept this truth about God's role in our work.

Our striving for excellence at work could be our response to God's invitation to share in His greatness. With God in our minds and hearts, there is no longer any limit to what we can attain with our work. With God, all things are possible.