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Onward
Christian Worker |
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by Tom Gilbert
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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