Doing Your Best

Available for over a year

Good morning. One of the funniest job interviews I had was for an art agency in Tokyo. After a brief chat in the office with an American intern, I was told we were going out. Mr Mochusuki, the boss, led us on a short walk to an old-fashioned bar. It was small and dark with a rustic wooden bar counter and stools in front. We filed in like ducks in a row - Mr Mochusuki took the end stool nearest the wall, I was next, then the intern and the other Japanese staff. A tiny, very elderly, Japanese woman with wiry grey appeared, smiled and handed Mr Mochusuki a black folder with song lyrics. It turned out this was a karaoke bar, and I was now trapped in a surreal Japanese recruitment ritual! One by one the staff chose songs and howled painfully into the microphone. I was struggling not to laugh – it was bizarre – but everyone was taking it very seriously. It was coming to my turn. What on earth was I going to sing? Mr Mochusuki suggested the Irish song Danny Boy. Inside I was cringing, but I did my best. In terms of the job, it was the wrong decision – I was meant to howl as painfully as I could. Only the boss was allowed to sing normally – he had to be the best! We absorb the message ‘do your best’ from a young age The Apostle Paul said “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart as working for the Lord…It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” Lord Jesus, help us to consciously give all our hearts to whatever we do today and use our work to bless others for your glory. Amen.