For any of you that know me personally, you probably know that we have been having a rough time at my workplace for a while now. There have been changes over the last few months. And even though most of the changes are for the good, any change can be difficult at times. With recent personnel changes, training, and attitudes on top of the regular everyday challenges of any job, it's enough to make me want to throw up my hands and just quit some days. However, if you can say anything about me, it's that I am not a quitter. Even if I was independently wealthy and didn't need this job, I would never just quit. So, what have I done to deal with all of this? Well I went to the only instruction manual any of us really need - the Bible.
Actually, God kind of just revealed some scripture to me. I was flipping through one Sunday evening at church, trying to find the scripture the pastor was referencing when one of the headings in my Bible just jumped off the page at me. It simply said "On the Job."
Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: Ephesians 6:5-7
As soon as I read those words, I realized that it is my duty to do my job to the best of my ability, to follow the instructions given to me, and to do my job as though I am working for Christ himself, and not just when the boss is looking. While that may seem elementary, how many of us actually treat our bosses as we would treat Christ if He was signing our paycheck?
So how has this changed anything? Well, that very night I committed that scripture to memory. When things get tough at work, I recall it and say it to myself. I have even used it as a prayer, inserting my name and asking God to help me be the employee he wishes me to be. Has it made everything smooth sailing? No, but I don't expect it to. But it does serve as a reminder of who I am really working for and that He will get me through it all.
