Encouragement

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I remember when it was important to do your best at work, not because it might mean a raise or a promotion, but because it was the right thing to do. I watched as my dad, probably the hardest-working man I knew, was reduced to the manual labor of loading and unloading trucks in his later years, working with men 1/3 his age. He kept up with them, and probably still worked twice as hard. They thought it was funny that this “old guy” was working so hard. They did not see their future standing in front of them.

I remember when companies cared about the quality of the item they manufactured, or the service that they provided, and not just elevating the almighty dollar. Remember when the “bottom line” wasn’t about the money, but about the confidence in a job well done?

When I was in junior high that is about the time that goods from other countries started coming here – not that they weren’t here before – but cheaper-made goods. I remember my father laughing at ballpoint pens and saying they were so cheap, rather than refilling them and keeping your trusty old pen, people would just throw these away! I was taught to do my best at work, because I answer to a higher boss, and I am really doing my work for Him. But for years now, most companies only focus on quantity, not quality, now it was on consumability – use and replace.

Hmmm. Use and replace. Feels a lot like the world I live in now. Even our relationships are of the "use and replace" mentality. If this one is not working out, oh well. Next!

I look around and workers are being used up and let go without even the blink of an eye. Knee-jerk decisions are being made with the flag-waving mantra being sung of Profit! Profit! Profit!

A wise saying I read once said this: What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world but loses his soul?

We are being told not to question policies and procedures, in the name of “job security”. Security! Far from it. The only security we truly have is hidden in Christ. He alone knows the days of our journey, the hairs on our head, and the end of our story.

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