ON YOUR MARTS,
GET SET, GO!
What's your idea of the perfect profession? Most people would love to have a position that pays a pile for a paltry putout. Others see power and position as the perks of the perfect post. There are plethora of possible parameters we might prefer in a particular profession (sorry, but P is my letter of the day). Things like job sharing, creativity, challenge, benefits, flexibility etc, all play a major role in giving us job satisfaction, but what about job dissatisfaction?
Are there any jobs you wouldn't be interested in trying? Silly question, right? Let's face it, the majority of jobs out there and less than desirable, but here's a question for you: what is it that makes a job less desirable in our estimation? Does it have to do with our standing or pride, or is it more to do with the lifestyle level we are trying to maintain or achieve? Can we make any job better than it is? Is there anything wrong with having a job that others might frown upon?
A couple of weeks ago, we took a van load of people to a leadership conference in Louisville, Kentucky at a church by the name of Southeast Christian. What a great experience! It is a wonderful church with lots of resources and ideas to challenge, encourage and refresh our weary souls.
One of the side benefits of going to a conference like that is the twelve hour drive to and from the conference. Seven people and their stuff in a Chevy Venture Van is a wonderful time for some CLOSE fellowship. You really get to know someone after twenty-four hours in such intimate surroundings. There are laughs and smiles and tears that no one who was not on that trip will ever fully understand. I love it.
Well, this time around, one of our fellow travelers (I will call him Joe), just happens to work at a Wal-Mart here in Toronto. I know of a total of two people who work for Wal-Mart. One considers it just a job, but the one who went with us, considers it a JOB!!!!! This guy LOVES working for Wal-Mart so much that he even took pictures and video of all the Wal-Marts we stopped at on our trips. He stopped and talked with fellows Wal-Mart employees in Ohio and Kentucky and shared with them a common sense of identity and pride. I have never seen someone so happy to be identified with his/her employer. To be honest with you, it was a little bit unnerving at first. I wasn't sure if I should admire Wal-Mart for their employee relations, or check my friend into a deprogramming facility! Still, I have to admit that his attitude really made me think. I have never considered that a job at Wal-Mart would be something that anyone would desire.
While I was working my way through Bible College I worked as a Security Guard. It was a job. It was a means to an end. It was a transitional necessity to achieve my goal of doing something better. I always consider working at a Wal-Mart, or any other retail chain to be a similar proposition. But such isn't the case for my friend.
Perhaps part of his thankfulness is the fact that he originally comes from the Philippines. He comes from a part of the world that has much less than we do so he is much more thankful for all that he has now that he lives here in Canada. But there is more to it than that. Wal-Mart does seem to really work hard at pumping up their people and making them feel like they are part of a family. Interesting! I wonder if the average church does as well?
Thoughts to ponder
When was the last time you were thankful for your job? Even if it isn't the best job in the world, it's better than not having a job.
When was the last time you tried to create a sense of fun, excellence, and family in your workplace? How does your attitude contribute to the overall morale?
Just as Joe felt a kinship with others in the Wal-Mart family, shouldn't Christians also share the same kind of fellowship, excitement, joy, and identity with other Christians where ever they may go? Guess what? The Kingdom is bigger than the church you attend!
What can we do as members in our congregation to make sure we are contributing to the sense of family, fun and joy? Are you dragging your posterior into Church on Sunday morning like you do when you go to work on Monday morning, or are you excited to meet with God and His people?
Interestingly, when you go into a Wal-Mart you are greeted by a friendly face and a "How ya doin'? Welcome to Wal-Mart!" It's sad to say, but most churches aren't anywhere near as welcoming or helpful. What would happen if every church were just as friendly as a Wal-Mart department store? Now where did I put my yellow smiley face?
If you have any comments or questions, click on my name at the bottom of the page and I promise to write back.
