Do You Have The Worlds Best Job?

Do you spring out of bed every Monday morning, ready for action?

Do you find yourself continually talking about how much you love your job?

Do you skip the coffee because you’re running on joy, energy and pure adrenaline?

If you answered “yes” to all three questions, you can stop reading this post. I’ve got nothing for you.

A More Likely Reality

If you answered “no” or thought those scenarios were so far from the reality of your life that they were downright ridiculous, let’s talk.

Out of the hundreds—probably thousands—of people I’ve met in my life, I think I’ve met fewer than 10 who love their jobs so much they could honestly and consistently answer “yes” to the three questions above.

I believe that’s largely because the enjoyment of a job involves so many factors. The boss, schedule, type of work, benefits, coworkers, challenge level, commute, working conditions, promotion process and mission or purpose of the company are all puzzle pieces that must fit together perfectly if someone is to inherently love a particular job.

Oh, and then there’s the paycheck. That’s the only reason anyone is working in the first place, right?

Not necessarily.

Look, I’ll be the first to say that the primary purpose of my career is to earn money to support my family. I can say the same about my husband’s career. And I don’t think that’s a bad thing.

But I’ve learned a few lessons after encountering some rare individuals who have learned to love their jobs for reasons that go beyond paychecks and circumstances.

Fulfillment Through Purpose

These aren’t CEOs, celebrities or world travelers. They’re regular people—hair stylists, cashiers and security guards who know the secret to finding joy at work.

What’s the difference between these exceptional individuals and so many other people who mope around, grumbling, one eye always on the clock? Purpose. They have found (or created) a purpose for their workday that goes beyond earning a salary.

The hairdresser isn’t just focused on hair. She’s developing relationships with her clients, with the ultimate goal of sharing the hope of Christ with them.

The cashier is smiling and greeting customers with genuine kindness. She knows that, for some of them, she may be the only person they encounter all day who is truly happy to see them.

And the security guard is using his position of authority to love and care for the people who pass through the gates he guards. He prays for everyone who drives through. He asks them about their day. He’s never more than an arm’s length away from a well-worn book full of psalms and proverbs from the Bible. On slow days, he reads and memorizes Scripture that he then uses to encourage others.

These people I’ve met—real people—do not have what one would call extraordinary jobs. They’ve made the jobs extraordinary because of the eternal purpose with which they view their work.

Anyone can love a job that comes with a great boss, an amazing mission, a three-minute commute and a fat paycheck. But for 99 percent of us, that’s just not real life.

It takes something special to love an ordinary job with less-than-perfect circumstances. But it is possible.

If going to work feels like a drag, pray and ask God to show you the purpose beyond the paycheck. And then boldly live it out. Who knows? You may just jump out of bed with a new pep in your step, knowing you’re not just working for some company—you’re working for the Kingdom.

Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. (Colossians 3:23, NLT)