For a couple of summers during college, I worked for a local construction guy roofing and shingling houses. It was hard, backbreaking work, but a very valuable skill that I learned. Mark went to my church, but other than that, I didn’t know that much about him. As we climbed into his truck at 6am that first day, he popped his favorite tape into the stereo. It was Roy Orbison – I had never heard of Roy Orbison. When the music started playing I could see why I had never heard him on my favorite radio stations – it was different. The song he played first was call “Working for the man”. It talked about elbows and backs, and no women or water, deadlines, working me into the ground, etc. ‘cause you’re working for the man. It was hard to listen stomach. Fast forward to the end of the summer and I had actually come to like the music – or I was just brainwashed from listening to it so much that I went out and purchased a tape of my own – I shouldn’t have even admitted that.
I thought I was in for it. Who was I working for this summer? Mark turned out to be a wonderful boss and man and I loved working for him. But this isn’t always the case in the workplace. Our pastor just recently shared these workplace stats in a sermon: 53% of people are unhappy at work. Happy workers are 12% more productive and take less sick days. 80% of employees are unhappy with their supervisor and 25% of employees are planning to leave their place of employment in the next 2 years. Halfhearted effort seems to be commonplace.
Why is this? Could it be that too many people are working for the man? Rather than working for the Man – the Lord. And let’s be honest here – this concept can be hard. People can be challenging and difficult and your work may not always be the most glamorous. I want to encourage you to do your job with excellence and the right attitude. Make blessing and serving others your bottom line – no matter what you do. You are not just doing something at work, you are adding value to others. Make a decision today to work for the Man.
Colossians 3:23 ~ Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.
“Dear Lord, thank you for the opportunity to work. Thank you for the skills and abilities you have given us to be able to accomplish Your will wherever we work. Help us to use our work to honor and glorify you – to bless and add value to others. It’s in Jesus name I pray, Amen.”