Daily Reflections on Eph. 6:5-9 (Jobs, Bosses and Coworkers)

Have you ever had one of those jobs where you just hated going to work? The environment was horrible. The boss was a butt. The job itself stunk. You couldn't stand the people you worked with. Maybe you hated the hours or the pay or the conditions. It could have been a job that was simply boring or didn't fit your gift mix or talents or personality.

My wife had a job when we first moved to this community that was all of that and more. The tension and pressure was overwhelming. It messed her up. She was a nervous wreck. She'd come home in tears virtually every day. It crippled her self-esteem. One day she left work in the middle of the day so torn up that she threatened not to go back. They had a constant revolving door of employees.

Finding the ideal job where everything is perfect is a rarity. No job is perfect, because no one is perfect. If you find that perfect job, don't take it because you'll mess it up. Because people aren't perfect, we're always going to have some tough days, tough times, tough situations at work.

Paul in this passage gives some sound advice for employees and employers. The conditions of your work environment begins with you, your attitude and your work ethic. He says here to serve your boss, your company with respect, reverence and sincerity in the same way you would serve Christ. He says put your whole self into it. He goes on to say that God will ultimately reward you for your effort. He virtually says the same thing to bosses. He reminds them that they ultimately have to answer to God.

Not every situation can be magically transformed into a wonderful working environment overnight. Some things are out of your control. But God doesn't promise that anyway. God is concerned about our character, our attitudes, our behavior. Let's face it, Jesus didn't have the best working environment. Paul had to face some pretty miserable conditions/persecution while trying to do his job. But we have to remember, God called us to be light and salt; to brighten and flavor/influence our environment.

God, my eyes aren't on pleasing my boss, my employers or co-workers. My eyes are on pleasing you. Help me to be the best that I can be.