Sometimes we hear people talk about the importance of finding a job that you enjoy. This may be a bit of an exaggeration, but it’s important to do something that doesn’t destroy your joy, sense of fulfillment and significance. You may be doing physical labor all day, which is not very satisfying, but when you come home tired, you know you’ve done useful work. And this understanding itself can be a reward.
Over the years, I have been involved in various labor and different types of businesses. I decided to get rid of the work that was killing my joy as soon as possible. The work I find most enjoyable is the work that allows me to contribute to the lives of others.
Most of my time today is spent restoring old photographs. It’s very rewarding, especially since I not only enjoy working with the photos, but also hearing the stories of the people in them. I also do a lot of portrait photography. I love people and find pleasure in helping them look their best.
I also have a seasonal job as a tax specialist: helping my clients file their tax returns. It is very rewarding to spend time with them, getting to know them and helping them with their annual tax filing; explaining a process that can be very confusing. For many years I ran a local coffee shop that not only allowed people to enjoy their favorite beverages with or without caffeine, but also provided an atmosphere where they could relax and socialize with others, which often changed the course of a life.
From time to time I would get involved in a job that might seem good at first. But it soon turned out to be the wrong decision. I could stay and feel miserable, or I could decide to leave at the first opportunity. More often than not, I chose the second option.
The choice to honor some commitment or to get out of this situation as soon as possible can be difficult. Sometimes we are able to “grin and bear it”, enduring it for a short time. Other times, however, it is better to recognize a hopeless situation and walk away as amicably as possible if we find that circumstances rob us of joy, peace, love, or a sense of humor. I have often found biblical principles helpful in making such difficult decisions.
God created work for our good. Some people think of work as a “necessary evil,” but from the beginning, God intended work to provide for our daily needs and to give us a sense of meaning and fulfillment. “And God blessed them, and God said to them, Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and possess it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air…And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb that sows seed, which is in all the earth, and every tree that has woody fruit that sows seed – to you this shall be for food” (Genesis 1:28-29).
Man’s rebellion made the job more difficult. Adam and Eve’s disobedience in eating of the forbidden tree had consequences, including making work harder and more difficult. “…cursed is the ground because of you; with sorrow you shall eat of it all the days of your life…in the sweat of your face you shall eat bread” (Genesis 3:17, 19).
Work is satisfying when done for the right reasons. Work can be joyful and rewarding if we realize for whom we are ultimately working and that God has given us certain abilities and gifts. “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not to men” (Colossians 3:23).
© 2023. Jim Mathis is a writer, photographer and small business owner from Overland Park, Kansas. His latest book is “The Camel and the Needle. A Christian View of Wealth and Money.” Previously, he was a café manager and executive director of CBMC in Kansas City.
Questions for reflection/discussion
- No matter what kind of work we do, there will always be elements of it that we don’t like. But as some say, “If you do what you love,” you will never have to “work” again in your life. Do you find joy and fulfillment in the work you do today? Explain your answer.
- If you find that your current job or vocation does not bring you the sense of joy or fulfillment you would like, what options will you pursue? If leaving your current job is not one of these options, what could you do to make your work more meaningful?
- Jim Mathis writes that the work he finds most joyful involves interacting with and serving others. Working in a way that benefits them? How can we similarly approach our work by focusing on the service we provide to others?
- What do you think it means to “do all things as unto the Lord, and not unto men,” as Colossians 3:23 says?
NOTES. If you have a Bible and want to read more, consider the following passages: Proverbs 18:9; Ecclesiastes 2:24-26, 3:22 5:18-19; Ephesians 6:5-7; Colossians 3:17, 24
Difficult task
If you find that your work is “stealing your joy,” who can you go to and discuss this with, seeking wisdom on how best to use your God-given abilities and gifts to serve Him and others effectively? If you find joy in your work, pray about how you might support a particular person who currently does not yet have that experience.