Reflections on Working in a Job a Long Time

(Note: This article was posted on the Coram Deo blog, The Institute for Faith, Work & Economics blog in two parts, here and here, the Reformed Perspective blog, and the 4Word Women blog.)

I recently wrote an article about the challenges that a worker and his or her family will face when they start a new job. It has been a long time since I have done that, as I have served here over 14 years. I sensed there might be some things I have learned that may help others. Perhaps I could reflect on some of the challenges and blessings of working in the same job for a long time from a biblical perspective.

I invite you to consider with me what it might look like for a Christian to remain in the same job for an extended season. What are some of the downsides, if any? What are some of the advantages? Let me unpack this topic a bit, using some Scriptures and my understanding of the theology of work. To begin, let me address two potentially negative consequences for those who stay in the same job a long time.

Complacency

When a senior leader arrived at our organization several years ago, he expressed some concerns about me being complacent in the job. He thought that after six years I might have gotten too comfortable in this position, that I had stopped growing and improving, or that I did not care as much as I should.

I can see why an outsider who did not know me well might have some general concerns about an employee who been around awhile. These things are quite real. Some people do in fact get comfortable and set in their ways, stop learning new ideas, or no longer care. These bad habits can be temptations for Christians to fall into over time as they settle into their job responsibilities and routines for years.

However, there are some things while serving here that I have learned to help fight these temptations. What drives me to not be lazy, to keep on looking for ways to improve, and to pursue excellence in all that I do is simply this. As a Christ-follower, I have chosen to remember who I really work for.

The Apostle Paul, in Col. 3:23-24, instructs Christian workers to demonstrate their transformation in Christ. He teaches them to submit to their bosses, knowing who they ultimately work for. Paul exhorts, “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” Jesus is their true boss.

As I have done this myself, my motivation changes. I sincerely labor to do what is right for the glory of God, regardless of who is or is not looking. Moreover, I fully recognize that each one of us who are indwelt by God’s Spirit work in the very presence of God, which causes me to not be complacent.

Overconfidence

Another possible unintended result of a Christian working in the same position for some time is that it is easy to get overconfident in our own abilities, experience, and knowledge. This could cause us to lean on our own flesh and not depend daily on God’s strength and grace to get us through each day.

In my experience, I have found success in the recurring projects I have planned. When I have been tempted to get comfortable in my own way of doing things or have not been open to the ideas of my supervisor or from my team, I risked being perceived as an employee who is no longer value added.

This sense that we can do it all without anyone’s help (including God’s) is rooted in pride. I have to say that I struggle with that myself on occasion, when I think to myself, “Look at what I just did!”

In a devotional I subscribe to, I was reminded of a passage that has been meaningful to me since my college days that clearly applies to a tenured employee. Jeremiah 9:23-24 states:

Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.

It is easy to think that the wisdom, influence, and wealth that have been accumulated from working in a career for decades is something we did ourselves. We need to remember that it all came from God.

There are some downsides in doing the same job for years. However, there are many upsides as well.

Developing networks and relationships

I tell my people at least once a week, “We have a great team.” Each team I have had over the years becomes great only because I have intentionally built them by treating all with dignity and respect.

One of the things I have learned that has enabled me to do my job effectively is being able to connect the dots. When someone asks me a question that falls into someone else’s lane, I know who they need to call. I know where to go for answers. In many cases I will contact someone just like me who has also been working the same job for several years. Connecting with the right people gets things done.

More than just knowing who to talk with, I have been able to build personal relationships with a wide variety of individuals within my own organization, in our subordinate unit, in our higher headquarters, and with senior leaders and Soldiers throughout our Chemical Regiment around the world. Being known as the one to call has enhanced coordination with all organizations who need our support.

Becoming a faithful employee who has developed and maintained relationships with coworkers both within and outside your organization and becoming known as someone who can be depended upon to get things done leads to having a good reputation, which God’s word tells us is valuable. “A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold” (Prov. 22:1).

For the Christian, when we develop a reputation as someone who is not only dependable but has become an invaluable subject-matter expert, this will open doors to minister to a wider audience.

Becoming a subject-matter expert

Another result of being in the same job for a long time is that people normally get better at their job. Think about a seasoned actor or baseball player. It takes time to get good at what they do, even when they have the God-given talent behind it. Polishing your craft to perfection does not come quickly.

In my job, my main function is to advise leaders as a civilian member of a military staff. The longer I have done it, the more credibility I have in their eyes. I can advise them because I have seen a lot. Prov. 24:6 says, “Surely you need guidance to wage war, and victory is won through many advisers.”

In 2 Chron. 32:3, we see that King Hezekiah “consulted with his officials and military staff”. They helped him to make a tactical decision when the king of Assyria was threatening Jerusalem. My recommendations, based on the experiences and wisdom God has provided, are valued and listened to. This enables them to make sound decisions that positively impact military personnel around the world. (I invite you to check out an article I wrote a few years ago where God used me in a huge way.)

The writer of Proverbs wisely counsels workers that an employee who is skilled in his or her work will eventually go far. We read, “Do you see someone skilled in their work? They will serve before kings” (Prov. 22:29). This indicates to me that God will open up doors for us as we sharpen our skills.

I highlighted this biblical principle to my youngest son after his face was put on a billboard on the main drag of his college town as the lead in a production of Hamlet. His hard work and passion for his craft motivated him to learn technical aspects of his field, improve his skills, stretch his wings, and audition for big roles. I pointed out that if he faithfully used his God-given talents and polished them to perfection, his work would catch the eye of people who could trust him to take on more responsibility.

Closing thoughts

Those of us who are blessed to be able to stay in one job for an extended period of time can certainly get complacent and we most definitely become prideful about our accomplishments without giving God all the glory. However, I have seen the value of developing networks and doing our jobs well.

To quote a speaker I heard when I was a young Christian in college, like Abraham, Moses, and other ordinary workers we find in the Bible, God has sent me, I went, and I am put. As God has allowed me to stay put, on a consistent basis, I have worked in His strength to ensure that I remained a cleansed vessel so that God would be fully present with me, working in me and through me to glorify Himself.

I trust that these thoughts may encourage some workers to remain content where they are, to wait on the Lord, and see what He will do with them over many years as they grow in faith and in competence.

About the author:

Russell E. Gehrlein (Master Sergeant, U.S. Army, Retired) is a Christian, husband of 41 years, father of three, grandfather of five, and author of the book, Immanuel Labor – God’s Presence in our Profession: A Biblical, Theological, and Practical Approach to the Doctrine of Work, published by WestBow Press in February 2018. He is an ordinary man who is passionate about helping ordinary people experience God’s presence and integrate their Christian faith at work. Russ received a B.S. in Mathematics from Colorado State University in 1980 and an M.A. in Biblical Studies from Grand Rapids Theological Seminary in 2015. He is a former junior/senior high school math and science teacher and youth minister. He has completed 35 years of active federal service, including 20 years on active duty and over 14 years as a Department of the Army civilian at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. Since 2015, he has written over 180 articles on faith and work topics. One hundred of these articles have been published on several Christian organization’s websites, including: the Center for Faith & Work at LeTourneau University, Institute for Faith, Work & Economics, Coram Deo, Nashville Institute for Faith + Work, Made to Flourish, The Gospel Coalition, and Christian Grandfather Magazine. (See list of published articles on Linktree.)