Work and Calling
What is work? For some people, it is a something to be endured, so that money is available for when work is done. Others enjoy work to a point, but are glad when the day is over. Others love their jobs, the people they work with, and are excited at the beginning of each day.
Personally, I tend to cycle through each of these: depending on my mood, how work is going, and the phase of the moon. I felt that I needed a change enough that I began to look for other work, idealy in a field that interests me and suits my strengths.
But then I didn’t find a job quickly. I’m still looking after 4 months. And I’ve started to reflect on work.
My Protestant Christian tradition has a high view of work. We often talk about our vocation as our calling in life. Work is seen as one of the main ways to serve God. This has left me struggling for meaning in my life. I had such high hopes to do something meaningful and world changing. I have the grades and the skills to make something happen. I have the optimism and confidence. But I haven’t got the job.
I’ve applied for wonderful jobs; jobs I would love to do and would do well. I applied for entry level jobs in companies I’d love to move up in. I applied for jobs where I really felt I could make a positive difference. Nothing. Consoling myself with “just do your best for God in whatever job you’re in” has not been so comforting.
So what is meaningful work? I think I feel like a failure because in elevating jobs to the calling of God on my life, makes me feel like I’m wasting the gifts given to me. I could be doing so much better.
So maybe some people get to have their vocation be their calling. But maybe for most of us, our job is a place simply to be faithful, to work with integrity and honesty, in order to provide for ourselves and others. Maybe a job is simply a job sometimes.