Fulfillment Starts with the Right Focus
Studies estimate that 60% to 85% of people aren’t happy with their jobs. They don’t like what they do, they don’t like their bosses or coworkers, and overall, they’re just unsatisfied.
There are plenty of really crappy jobs out there. Someone, though, has to do those jobs. Often, we go through them for a season in our lives, and when all is said and done, we get to move on. The right focus, however, means we can find fulfillment in those jobs, even when they’re not the most exciting, glamorous, or otherwise fun.
It All Depends on Who You Work For
When we seek fulfillment, we should look toward the one who will ultimately fulfill us.
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” Colossians 3:23 NIV
Every day we wake up, we get to make the choice. Will we work hard, or try to just float by? Will we go to work to collect a paycheck, or will we go to work to make a difference? When you’re working for the right reason, you can find fulfillment no matter what the job is.
Work Hard Even When Nobody is Watching
The ideas of Colossians 3 go deeper than just working for the Lord instead of for man. When you work for an employer, sometimes it’s easy to just sit back and collect that paycheck. Or to put in minimal effort because the job is so terrible anyway.
However, in verse 22 we’re instructed to work “with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord.” If you take the bad boss out of the equation, and put God in their place, it’s not so easy to slack off or to perform poorly.
Would you go before the master of the universe and half-ass it?
Earn Your Inheritance from the Lord
Because ultimately, we’re working for something bigger than a paycheck. Yes, we should be working hard to earn our keep. There are indeed bills to pay, and we have to eat.
But in verse 24, we learn about the real reason we work. That’s because “you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”
We work hard to glorify God. That’s it. And when we do, it’s a chance for God to pour out the blessings that he has for us. Blessings that he promises us, and wants to give to us. He just has to make sure our hearts are in the right place to receive them. We learn of these blessings in 2 Corinthians 9.
Faith Isn’t Just for Sundays
So many people go to church on Sunday, worship God, then curse out their boss the next day (maybe not to the boss’s face, but still).
Worship and faith aren’t a one day a week deal. You can worship God all day every day. Just commit your work to him and work heartily as though for the Lord and not for man. Notice how your attitude improves over time, and ultimately you end up finding more fulfillment in your job because you’re working for the King.