February 1. The silly season is now officially over. We mourn its passing. Time to get back to work, into routine, nose to the grindstone. Stress and competition, traffic and queues, early moring, late nights, meetings, projects, deadlines and agendas until 2015 comes to a close and the silly season returns for another brief respite.

Is it really that bad? The pessimist inside keeps telling me it is. But I need to stop listening to the pessimist inside and instead listen to the Word of God.

Work, although frustrated by the fall, is a gift from God. Productivity and creativity, the exercise of structure and order to make the world a better place is part of of God's divine intention for us all.When we work hard and well, with joy, we reflect the image of God and find a deep, godly statisfaction.

It has been nice to rest, slow down, even be idle over the Christmas season. But we were not created to be idle. Instead we are commanded to be busy in doing good. Paul writes to the Thessalonians, 'We hear that some among you are idle; they are not busy, they are busybodies. Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the bread they eat. And as for you, brothers, never tire of doing what is right' (2 Thess 3:11-13)

This year, though it be tiring and at times frustrating, lets work with joy and purpose knowing that as we do we are doing what is right and slowly becoming more like Jesus