I raise this caution to you: Be careful to always find your identity and purpose in God, not your workplace.
Christians, just like everyone else, want to be praised in staff meetings. We want to have our name on the company wall as “employee of the month.” It is difficult to do your best when you do not feel appreciated.
I can sympathize with that feeling. Countless people work behind the scenes in thousands of businesses to keep our world turning. Being “just a number” among the masses can be discouraging.
Remember, God is the one who placed you where you are. The job you have today is a source of income that many wished that they had.
God has put you in your work environment for a reason. God is your “Boss.”
Yes, you may answer to another manager, but it is God who expects you to do your best. Your faithfulness in your current situation may be God’s test, which determines the next “promotion” you will experience. If you want to be blessed with greater things, you must be faithful where you are.
Before David was King of Israel, he was a servant of King Saul (1 Samuel chapter 16). David, a hard-working, honest God-fearer, was given the responsibility of taking care of the whims of a cruel, burned-out, inconsiderate, dishonest man.
David, a skilled musician, played his harp for Saul day after day. David was loyal and helpful to his disgusting, malevolent boss. David recognized that the place of authority Saul held was given by God.
God used this awful time in David’s life to prepare him for greater things.
Perhaps you are looking for an escape route out of your employment situation. Do not let your disillusionment rob you of your opportunity to shine in a dark place! Before God opens a door for you, He wants you to make a difference where you are.
If you have a difficult work environment, you are in the perfect place to make a difference. You do not have to preach a sermon. Your employment record is your message. The requirements on your job description are mandates from God—if God placed you in your position.
I find it ironic that many of us prayed to get the job we have. We said, “God, I am turning in this job application today asking you to please give me this position!”
Then, we fast-forward the scene several months or years later. Our prayer has changed: “God get me out of the place! I hate it here! I’ll dig ditches. I’ll do anything.”
Along the way, we lose perspective. We forget that God has placed us where we are for a reason.
Your job can never provide the affirmation and recognition that only God and your family can provide. Ultimately, only God’s opinion of you matters. If you are pleasing God in your job, you are doing everything you possibly can.
Be thankful if you have a job. Be the best employee you can possibly be. God will say to you, “Well done good and faithful servant.”
Then, God is going to give to you your “real” paycheck.
— Chris Crain, Pastor, North Valley Church, Margaret
