Four Letter Word

Fresh out of college I was hitting the streets and ready to change the world for Jesus, oh yeah and for me as well. I returned to Colorado and settled back in my hometown of Strasburg and started working in Denver, about a 30 minute commute one way. I was determined to land that great job that was going to make me that wealthy, independent, island hopping businessman. Well, through visiting local networking venues I landed a job as the right hand man to the president of a growing and fast-paced business. IT was amazing, everything I wanted in my first job and there was even talk of me eventually talking over the business one day. The company was called “Headline Sports” and I had done it, I had hit my once in a life-time opportunity to make it big!

I knew it was going to be a challenge, but I thrived on that possibility and came into work as eager as a Colorado beaver! Well what I did not realize was the magnitude of the test God has just placed in my lap. In a New York minute my wonderful boss turned into a serious Mr. Hyde. He was not just mean, but emotionally demeaning and verbally abusive. To spare you the details, near the end of my time at the job I found myself looking forward to lunch as a person in the desert would long for water and dreading the return an hour later so much that I would get physically ill and almost thought I would throw up. Let’s face it this guy was a jerk and a horrible boss. He thought the best way to motivate me was to get 3 inches from my face and scream at the top his lungs until he was red in the face. Ok in boot camp but not in the business world.

But I stayed, not because I love this type of punishment but because I learned years before I work unto the LORD and not to man. So I had made a commitment to help this company for a period of time and when that time ended I resigned. During that season I learned what it meant to work unto God even when it costs me more than I gained.

I learned my job or career can be so much more than a “job”. It can bring me eternal fulfillment even in the middle of a horrible work environment. It came down to how I viewed my job.

So how do you view your job? Regardless if you are on the top of your game or at the bottom of the ladder what would your job be like, good or bad, if you entered everyday as if Jesus was your boss? Would you dread getting up to come in? Would you make those famous late excuses that are so easy around here, like “I got stuck in traffic”.

Perspective is king and it certainly rings true in your vocation. Work unto God and not man, you will be better for it!

"Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted" (Matthew 23:12)