Your work is more than just “a job” or an ATM for your pastor. Every calling is itself sacred, every task a trust, and every laborer accountable before the throne.
Wow, what a call-to-arms on this Lord’s Day! I can attest to the truth of this article 100%. As a physician, I see burnout in my field all too often. It is usually due to the overwhelming and ever-changing demands of insurance companies.
Our profession has been nickel-and-dimed by a meteoric rise of billing/coding demands with an all-time trough of reimbursement. No other profession I know of allows the provider of services to set his price with a third-party payer stepping in to say, “You’ll get 40% of that and like it”.
The only cure, in my opinion, is for a physician to realize his vocation is a calling from God. That’s the cure for my burnout, at least. Working as unto the Lord is what gives my diagnostic skills and treatment plans true meaning. As you said…pushing back against the curse and simultaneously glorifying God. That’s worth more than an extra bundle of cash.
The highway-robbery tactics of insurance companies aside, my vocation stands like every other vocation: a calling from the Lord to extend Eden. Thanks for this Rod…I needed it badly.
The work ethic was established in me during the years I grew up on a single-family dairy farm. You learn that you don't stop until the job is done. Cows have to be milked (and fed), twice a day every day, even on Sunday. But after the cows were milked and fed, we changed to our church-going clothes and drove into town for Sunday school and worship service. And many weeks, after services, the family would gather at Grandma's house for Sunday dinner. (In the South, dinner comes at noon.)
Later on in life, some would ask why I didn't seek higher recognition at my job. I seldom made a verbal reply, but in my mind I thought "I know what I did, and God knows what I did, and that's enough for me." So until I retired, my vocation was my calling. And God took care of my retirement by the things he led me to do through the years.
If you reflect on your life, no matter how long, you can see the little things the Spirit directed you to do, that you did, and how those made a big impact later on. The longer you live and the more you listen to the prompting of the Spirit, the more of those you see.
Not everyone is called to be a monk, but I honor the monk as I honor the butcher and the baker and the farmer and the electrician and the shopkeeper and the coach and the truck-driver and anyone else putting in the work. I myself am doing the small thing that has narrowly arrived and requires every ounce of resourcefulness to which I can apply, and, even then, grace has been what carries me most.
Christians should always work for the coming Kingdom of God, wherever we are placed in the societal order. First, live the Christian life, attending church and seeing our children are raised and discipled in church. Second, always endeavor to do the right thing, even if difficult, even if unappreciated; you never know who is watching and will credit your faith. Third, whatever your occupation do your job to the best of your ability, strive for excellence. Fourth, surround yourselves with friends who share your values and your faith, but always have time for seekers. However, beware of consorting with unrepentant sinners to the point you yourself are corrupted. Fifth, maintain an active prayer life and Christian friendships to provide you support through everything life throws at you. Live for the Kingdom, and let others see Jesus in you and want what you have. Blessings.
Wow, what a call-to-arms on this Lord’s Day! I can attest to the truth of this article 100%. As a physician, I see burnout in my field all too often. It is usually due to the overwhelming and ever-changing demands of insurance companies.
Our profession has been nickel-and-dimed by a meteoric rise of billing/coding demands with an all-time trough of reimbursement. No other profession I know of allows the provider of services to set his price with a third-party payer stepping in to say, “You’ll get 40% of that and like it”.
The only cure, in my opinion, is for a physician to realize his vocation is a calling from God. That’s the cure for my burnout, at least. Working as unto the Lord is what gives my diagnostic skills and treatment plans true meaning. As you said…pushing back against the curse and simultaneously glorifying God. That’s worth more than an extra bundle of cash.
The highway-robbery tactics of insurance companies aside, my vocation stands like every other vocation: a calling from the Lord to extend Eden. Thanks for this Rod…I needed it badly.
A good read for Sunday morning. Thank you.
The work ethic was established in me during the years I grew up on a single-family dairy farm. You learn that you don't stop until the job is done. Cows have to be milked (and fed), twice a day every day, even on Sunday. But after the cows were milked and fed, we changed to our church-going clothes and drove into town for Sunday school and worship service. And many weeks, after services, the family would gather at Grandma's house for Sunday dinner. (In the South, dinner comes at noon.)
Later on in life, some would ask why I didn't seek higher recognition at my job. I seldom made a verbal reply, but in my mind I thought "I know what I did, and God knows what I did, and that's enough for me." So until I retired, my vocation was my calling. And God took care of my retirement by the things he led me to do through the years.
If you reflect on your life, no matter how long, you can see the little things the Spirit directed you to do, that you did, and how those made a big impact later on. The longer you live and the more you listen to the prompting of the Spirit, the more of those you see.
God is good, and He is still in control.
Absolutely a must read, thanks Rod, good stuff.
Not everyone is called to be a monk, but I honor the monk as I honor the butcher and the baker and the farmer and the electrician and the shopkeeper and the coach and the truck-driver and anyone else putting in the work. I myself am doing the small thing that has narrowly arrived and requires every ounce of resourcefulness to which I can apply, and, even then, grace has been what carries me most.
Amen and amen.
This was one of the great teachings of the Reformation. All work is sacred. How easily we forget the basics.
Indeed.
Christians should always work for the coming Kingdom of God, wherever we are placed in the societal order. First, live the Christian life, attending church and seeing our children are raised and discipled in church. Second, always endeavor to do the right thing, even if difficult, even if unappreciated; you never know who is watching and will credit your faith. Third, whatever your occupation do your job to the best of your ability, strive for excellence. Fourth, surround yourselves with friends who share your values and your faith, but always have time for seekers. However, beware of consorting with unrepentant sinners to the point you yourself are corrupted. Fifth, maintain an active prayer life and Christian friendships to provide you support through everything life throws at you. Live for the Kingdom, and let others see Jesus in you and want what you have. Blessings.