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Onward Christian Worker
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by Tom Gilbert © Living
the Solution
All too often we define who we are
by what our job is. Ask anybody what they “do”
for a living and they will typically respond by telling
you what their job is. Even if the person is retired they
will go on about what they used to do; their previous
work occupation.
The attitude we bring to work is something worth reviewing.
The days when we wish we were anyplace but at work are
valuable opportunities to consider just what we are living
for.
The best jobs, as we’ve often heard, are the ones
where we do what we love. It doesn’t even seem like
work because it is enjoyable. Gee, it sure would be great
if we could all find such employment instead of just enduring
the daily grind.
You Are Not Your Job
In the classic book, “The
Road Less Traveled”, M. Scott Peck
begins with the statement that “life is difficult”.
I think we can easily say the same for work. For so many
of us work is life. And it can be hard.
The whole idea of work/labor means exerting some effort
and many of us resist making the effort.
Consider this: a job with long hours and hard work that
isn’t especially appealing, but with great financial
reward, versus a job with less pay that resonates with
your talents and passion.
Which you choose says a lot about where you place your
priorities.
Work is a necessary part of life. But it is not the purpose
of life. In the larger picture we should accept that God
put us here to be part of His ever renewing creation.
When it comes to our work life it would behoove us to
see how our involvement in this magnificent creation is
something we are all called to do. Work as participation
in life instead of as merely a way to make ends meet can
be an extraordinary change of perspective.
Back in the Day
Recently I was reflecting on the many
different things I’ve done in my life to earn a
paycheck. Starting as a teenage boy with a paper route
and mowing lawns, then "advancing” through
the ranks of the workforce at fast-food restaurants, in
radio broadcasting, management positions, telemarketing,
customer service positions, sales, web design and writing,
I can see that it’s been one long strange trip.
I counted up the jobs I’ve held and found I’ve averaged
more than two a year!
The hardest lessons to learn have been when I achieved
some measure of success and then faced the difficult acceptance
of job loss. Downsizing, my own mistakes, and the economy
– I can easily point to the causes, call them the
reasons, and deny that I’m making excuses.
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 Back
to the Salt Mines
What if the job you are in
feels like a dead end? Can you turn your attitude around?
Can you help bring about change that makes the work your
passion?
Paul gives us some insight in . Do everything without complaining
or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure,
children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved
generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe
as you hold out the word of life — in order that
I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or
labor for nothing.
That can be a tall order.
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The truth is until we discover we
are all children of God we will have a hard time accepting
ourselves – and others. There are lots of workplaces
where that acceptance is sadly missing. I’m sure
you’ve experienced a few. Sometimes you have to
face the music and leave a job you’re not suited
for. The reasons can vary from your skill set to the values
(or lack of) at the company.
When you don’t have a job and desperately want and
need one then the issue of work becomes more frustrating.
The hardest work just might be looking for it. Gainful
employment is not available equally to everyone. Jumping
into a new job that’s not the best use of your talents
can result in the “two steps forward, three steps
back” syndrome.
What to do, what to do
Commit to the LORD whatever you
do, and your plans will succeed. (Proverbs 16:3)
I don’t have all the answers
and I won’t pretend to. We can, however, get some
clues. We all have a responsibility to earn our own way,
if possible. This can take many forms. The best thing
is to identify what talents God has given you and see
if you can apply them in the workforce.
“The Lord has much need
of your gifts and talents, experiences and skills, training
and wisdom. There is no one else who can offer to the
kingdom of God exactly what you have to offer. He can
put it all to very good use.”
— Terry Modica, Daily Reflections - Good News Ministries
(gnm.org)
God’s design for working is different
from man’s. We want to do those things that get
us what we want. God wants all of us to work for good
in all things - even failures. That’s a much better
model! In fact, it is ultimately foolproof because the
outcome will eventually be fruitful.
What fellowship means in material
matters is made very plain. Every man is to work for his
living. "If a man will not work, neither let him
eat." But those who cannot work are to be provided
for out of the common fund. Old and helpless persons who
have relations of their own should, indeed, find support
from them and not be forced to come upon the Church; but
for the resource-less the Church must provide. And those
who are rich and who earn more than enough to support
their own families are to be willing contributors to the
common fund. The love of money — the desire to accumulate
wealth — is the root of every kind of evil. The
relation of one to another is to be that of members in
one body, in which, if one member suffers, all the members
suffer with it.
— Charles Gore (1853-1932), Christ and Society [1928]
We who have more have some social responsibility
to those less fortunate around us. This doesn’t
mean we encourage laziness and reliance on others, although
that criticism is sometimes leveled at social programs.
Those who cannot work still have gifts. We need to recognize
the opportunity to be compassionate and helpful –
essentially Christ like.
There will always be those who can’t work (health
reasons, age, and disabled) and there are times when many
are just going through a tough time. A hand up, not a
hand out, is usually a good guideline.
Talent Search
Maybe the best place to begin is to
prayerfully discern just what our talents are. God doesn’t
create junk so we each have something to contribute. Find
out what your passions are and then find a job that allows
you to use your gifts. It may take a while. It may take
all your life.
The effort is worth it and won’t go unrewarded.
Remember the scripture from the Gospel of Matthew in chapter
20 where Jesus presents the parable of workers hired for
the vineyard. Everyone gets paid the same whether they
were hired first in the day or late in the afternoon (Matthew
20:1-16). God doesn’t play favorites
with the gift of salvation. We can be “hired on”
to work for the kingdom at any time in our life. Once
we get the job the key is to keep working, not grumble
about the pay and be grateful for the opportunity to work.
Onward Christian worker –
you’ve got a job to do!
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Scripture taken from the
Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®.Copyright ©
1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights
reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International
Bible Society.
NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION® and NIV® are registered
trademarks of International Bible Society. Use of either
trademark for the offering of goods or services requires
the prior written consent of International Bible Society.
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy
Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996. Used
by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton,
IL 60189, USA. All rights reserved.
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PSALM
16:7-9
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"I will praise the
LORD , who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs
me. I have set the LORD always before me. Because he
is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore
my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also
will rest secure."
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(NIV)
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