Have you ever had a boss that you absolutely could not stand? An immediate supervisor who never empowered you to do well? Have you ever felt mistreated, underpaid, and insecure about your ability and skill set on the job? If you’ve been working for any amount of time you may have seen or experienced many of these things. Dealing with difficult people, personalities, and various leadership styles on the job can be tough. I’ve personally experienced being belittled, talked about, and plain mistreated while working full time in the past.
One of the greatest verses I believe that we can use to direct our paths as we journey through our career life is Colossians 3:23. “Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.”
When I first heard this verse taught in church I scrambled to take notes, promising to go back and read it in context. I wanted to memorize it, meditate on it, and ask God how I could better serve on my job. The main focus in this verse is bringing your service on the job to a level that you would serve the Lord with.
I know if Jesus asked me to organize all of the pens in color order and make sure that the business logo was facing outward, I would do so:
- With a SMILE on my face. I am eager to do WHATEVER it is that he asked me simply because he is EVERYTHING. He is King and I want to please him.
- I would do so as soon as possible. So if that means leaving an e-mail that doesn’t have to go out right away, or taking my lunch a few minutes later than usual, you’ll find me arranging pens. Now if Jesus says that I can finish what I’m doing first, I would ask him if he’s sure, and if he is, I can complete the task that he asked me about with a SMILE, because I’m happy to serve him after wrapping up what I previously had going on.
The idea behind working as unto the Lord is that your level of service is at its highest because you are serving the LIVING GOD. You immediately want to give your best efforts because its Jesus you’re serving, not some silly human.
My favorite thing about working as unto the Lord, is giving myself the opportunity to please him. So while I may be doing what my boss asks me to do, my objective is to do it with such excellence and integrity that my service is not only appreciated, but exemplary. I want my service to stand out so much so that there is no one else like me on the staff. I want my boss to be confident in my ability and know that I am reliable and trustworthy, but most importantly I want the Lord to know that the driving force behind my level of service is pleasing him.
In working as unto the Lord, we are seeking first the kingdom of heaven, and righteousness and everything else will be added unto us because we have decided to serve outside of situation, circumstance, treatment, or our pay rates. The only time that I would ever encourage you to leave a work situation instead of working as unto the Lord and pressing through adversity is if you are physically being abused. You have not been hired, for anyone to put their hands on you and I don’t think that anyone should stay in a physically abusive situation on the job, or otherwise.
There are several things that you can do to remind yourself that your purpose is so much larger than your 9-5 job. When the going got tough in the past for me, I would write the word “Eternity” across the palm of my hand, so that every time I was made to feel small, or was feeling like I didn’t want to be excellent, I remembered that my life was so much more important than what I was doing, but to do it excellently anyway. I also wasn’t afraid to pull away and go vent to God, or worship and praise him in the bathroom stall. Sometimes tensions are high, our work days are running long, and we just need to recharge in the presence of God. Some days I didn’t get it right. I may have snapped back at a co-worker who had spoken to me in a terse tone all day, or maybe I wasn’t so eager to help someone who I knew would never take the time to help me. But recognizing those moments within myself is what I use as motivation to get it right the next time!
The good news is that when you’re consistent your efforts will always be recognized. Honestly the only recognition that I want is God’s because he will reward me so much greater than any man ever could in his own power. (And that’s not to say that God won’t use your boss to promote you or give you a bonus for all of your hard work!)
Just stay focused and try and get it right. We all make mistakes, just remember to own the good and the bad, repent of your ways and move forward working as unto the Lord. You’ll be glad you did!
Have a GREAT day at work tomorrow!
Amber D. Avery
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