There was in the Cells an old man called Apollo. If someone came to find him about doing a piece of work, he would set out joyfully, saying, ‘I am going to work with Christ today, for the salvation of my soul, for that is the reward he gives.’
—-sayings of the Desert
Our world could be turned upside down if we would really take the words of this monk to heart. Finding joy and salvation in our work make the work worth doing, and worth doing well. The whole concept of working for Christ when we are doing the tasks of the day allows us to see our days through a new lens that gives us joy and meaning beyond our imagination. We must ask ourselves, what would it take for me to see my work as salvation for my soul?
Definitely it places a new perspective of what it means to work and serve. For most of us, work is a means to an end. The monk leads us to believe work is our end, and we will be incredibly rewarded for doing the tasks of the day. Implicitly, we are being told that God sends our work to us as a means of worship. Imagine the difference it could make in your life if you saw your work as an act of worship and a means of grace.
Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.
—-Jesus of Nazareth
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A Pastor's Thoughts 
I love the photo of the children – and this attitude is the embodiment of the child-like heart. I sometimes (often) have to remind myself, but there is a sense of real joy in even the most menial tasks if it is done ‘for Jesus’.
The joy of work is the most elusive of blessings that we seek. I pray that one day we can truly find it.The father Benedict tells us ora et labora (“pray and work”). Blessings