Living to Work or Working to Live?

When reflecting on your life and contemplating your future plans, sometimes a sly question comes your way which can influence you to travel a negative, perhaps destructive path. If social media and news reports have any accuracy, it seems the workforce is demoralized. Do a search on "coasting workers". There are is another word to describe such behavior - look up the word "malingering". The question in the title of this essay plays upon such demoralization. The emotions evoked cause the attention to be diverted away from the real question, to a secondary question about work. In so doing, it removes from consideration the real issue.

Have you heard or thought the remark "I don't want to be a corporate drone!" This isn't a remark about work, it is a statement about self-identity. If you don't take charge of your own self-identity, then the world will force one on you. Consider the statement about being a corporate drone. Although you may work for a corporation, you do NOT have to claim that "corporate drone" identity.

Taking charge of your own self-identity starts with determining who you REALLY are! Most identities available from the world are temporary and transitory - they can be taken from you by age, circumstances, legal judgments, and etc. I have determined it best to find and retain a self-identity which is permanent, which cannot be taken from you. Such an identity can only be found in the spiritual realm. Following through on such an identity will help determine the direction that you should go in life.

Those of us whose Lord and Savior is Jesus Christ have some specific directions in regards to our identity and our conduct as employees of secular businesses. The following is addressed directly to "bondservants", which can also be applied to the modern employee:

Colossians 3:22–24

[22] Bondservants (employees), obey in everything those who are your earthly masters (employers), not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing (respecting) the Lord. [23] Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, [24] knowing (not doubting) that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. YOU ARE SERVING THE LORD CHRIST. (ESV)

Like many in this modern culture, I began my late teens with a dread and hatred of the prospect of spending the next 50 years or so gainfully employed and supporting myself. I had a difficult time even imagining such a life. That all ended abruptly when I learned who I had become and what I was enabled to do, because of the accomplishments of Jesus Christ.

For such a person in Christ, the answer to the question "Are you living to work or are you working to live?" is "Neither. I live to serve the Lord Christ, and I work heartily!"

Whatever your occupation, or position, add as much value as you can. Become as skillful at your work as possible, regardless of the response. Every day you can rejoice for the strength and ability to work and to be employed. Every hour you can be focused on the work at hand. Not only do you earn a paycheck now, but you will also be rewarded by your Lord in the future! Your joy and thankfulness can even help elevate the moral of the entire company! When people see you, they can see a living witness of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

2024 Keith Radcliffe