Don't Love Your Job? ...Maybe This Will Help

Take this job and shove it.

Everybody's working for the weekend.

Working 9 to 5

All songs that share sentiment that work is a drag, a grind, boring, meaningless and something to escape. And maybe you can relate.

You've probably heard the statement, "Choose a job you love, and you will never work another day in your life."

It's wonderful to find work that we enjoy; to find employment where your passions and abilities come together in a way that makes you excited to get up in the morning.

Simon Sinek, author of numerous books including, "Start With Why" has provided some wonderful insights for leaders of corporations, small businesses and non-profits around helping their employees and volunteers to rally around a common mission or vision, which then can bring more meaning to the work carried out every day.

But what if you can't find that job? What if the current job market leaves you with few options but to stay where you are? What then?

I'd like to suggest that rather than just knowing your "Why", that you consider your "Who."

Who are you working for?

You might tell me you go to work every day to provide for your family, or support your favourite charity and that is honourable.

But what if we take that a step further?

Paul writes, "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ." (Col 3:23-24)

Have you ever considered Jesus as your boss? I know you may work for a boss, but imagine doing what you do, knowing ultimately, it's for Jesus. What difference would it make in your daily work, if you saw what you did as something for Him?

Not only that, but the reward the Lord gives is the inheritance, the joy of knowing him forever. So, to work "heartily for the Lord" means to work diligently with maximum effort, not half-heartedly,  for the reward of joy in the Lord.

As difficult as it may seem that you can find joy in a job you don't love, if we see our work as something we do for the Lord, we can experience joy as a reward.

And if you do love your job and find meaning it it, still do it as to the Lord.

But hey, if you don't like your job or find it unfulfilling, then sure look for other work that fits you better; there's nothing wrong with pursuing work that aligns with who you are and how you are wired. But in the meantime, remember to see your work as something you do for the Lord.

One more thing. I think the principle of doing what we do for the Lord extends to every thing we do. Whether it's mundane tasks like doing dishes or laundry to the work we do for financial gain. Lets do it all for Him.

There's joy in that!

Until next time - Dan