The Measure of a Good Employee

I’m still a relatively young man, but I’ve been in the workforce for a long time. I got my first job as a dishwasher when I was 15 years old, and I’ve been working ever since. In all my years working, I’ve done many different things. At different times in my life, I’ve been a clerk at Blockbuster, a forklift driver, a security guard, a pizza cook, a weed eater at a golf course, and a call center agent. I even spent a year volunteering for Ameri Corps. Today, after spending a couple of years doing non-profit work, I’m working an office job on the 18th floor of a downtown high-rise. Each of these jobs taught me new skills and has helped me to grow as a person.

All my challenges and struggles had something to teach me, and I pray that those lessons stay with me and help me to keep growing.

No matter where I've worked, I’ve generally done well. My superiors have typically praised me and given me raises or promotions. Oftentimes, I’ve been considered one of, if not the best employee wherever I’ve worked. For many years, I took that knowledge and carried it with much pride. I patted myself on the back and was delighted to know I was a hard worker and a great employee. Yet, there was another lesson that I needed to learn. It’s something that, as a leader, someone who hires, fires, trains, and mentors other people, is essential to every aspect of my work, spiritual, and personal life.

You can do everything else right, but if your attitude is awful, you become toxic, and nobody wants you on their team.

Life has its ups and downs. There are times of joy, laughter, sorrow, and crying. Each of them is temporary and precedes or follows the other. For those of us who have found the peace and joy of salvation through Jesus, we can lean on the constant hope underlying all our sorrows. The constant in our turbulent times and fleeting joys is the foundation of our faith. The hope of something permanent, the joy of our coming freedom, and the peace of life everlasting are what compels us through the challenges we face. We can survive the times when we must cry because unspeakable and unending joy awaits us. But when the waves get choppy, and life becomes almost too difficult to bear, we may still struggle to keep a good attitude. Paul encourages us in 1 Thessalonians to keep the right attitude:

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing,  give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.- 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Paul reminds us that this is the will of God for us. As Christians, our whole lives are centered around the will of God. He is our Father, friend, teacher, and even our employer. The moment we accept salvation through Jesus, we start a brand-new life firmly and fully established in the will of God. He commands us to be joyful, grateful, and to keep an intimate relationship with Him. We may read our Bibles, pray, listen to Christian music, and avoid drugs, alcohol, and pornography, but if we’ve got a bad attitude, then we’re not good employees, children, friends, or students. If we’re always gloomy and angry, then we’re not a good team member, and we’re not following the will of God.

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.- 2 Timothy 2:15

Our attitude should be based on the promise of eternity, and that hope and peace should exude from the base of our souls. We’re here now to win others to Christ and to become more like Him. The troubles of the world will still come, but we’re asked to roll with the punches and accept the changes and challenges that come. We can do that because we know the outcome. We know that all things work for the good of those who follow Christ (Romans 8:28). We have no reason not to be hardworking, good employees with the best attitude. No matter where we work and what we do for a living, we should be rejoicing, smiling, and praising the Lord. Toxic, depressing, angry, and sorrowful people are people who do not have the promise of eternal life, but we do. Let us be grateful! Let us be joyful! Let us praise the Lord with every breath! Be a good worker, friend, child, and student of Christ, for this is His will for us.

Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.- 2 Corinthians 13:11

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