Job Satisfaction: A Post Labor Day Thought by Motte Brown on 09/05/2006 at 1:54 PM

According to a recent nationwide survey conducted by Pew Research, job satisfaction among young adults ages 18-29 is up 11 percentage points from 1997.

There are some interesting nuggets to be found in the data, but inevitably, the phrase “job satisfaction” always draws my thoughts inward. Am I satisfied?

In 1997, when job satisfaction was lower among the ages 18-29 segment, I was both 18-29 and unsatisfied with my job. Whenever I met with my Christian mentor the subject of my job would always come up, or at least my complaining about it would. His response always baffled me at the time. He would ask “What do you think the Lord is trying to teach you through this?” I had expected responses like, “Just be thankful you have a job.”

That question, even unknowingly, put the concerns of my job in their proper perspective. The chief concern in every circumstance should be focused on God’s desire, not ours, and what He is doing to make us more like his Son.

Today, whenever I’m struggling with some particular aspect of my job and tempted to complain, I ask myself, “What do I think the Lord is trying to teach me through this?” I’ve found that asking the right question about my job makes all the difference in how satisfied I am with it.

Job Satisfaction: A Post Labor Day Thought by Motte Brown on 09/05/2006 at 1:54 PM

According to a recent nationwide survey conducted by Pew Research, job satisfaction among young adults ages 18-29 is up 11 percentage points from 1997.

There are some interesting nuggets to be found in the data, but inevitably, the phrase “job satisfaction” always draws my thoughts inward. Am I satisfied?

In 1997, when job satisfaction was lower among the ages 18-29 segment, I was both 18-29 and unsatisfied with my job. Whenever I met with my Christian mentor the subject of my job would always come up, or at least my complaining about it would. His response always baffled me at the time. He would ask “What do you think the Lord is trying to teach you through this?” I had expected responses like, “Just be thankful you have a job.”

That question, even unknowingly, put the concerns of my job in their proper perspective. The chief concern in every circumstance should be focused on God’s desire, not ours, and what He is doing to make us more like his Son.

Today, whenever I’m struggling with some particular aspect of my job and tempted to complain, I ask myself, “What do I think the Lord is trying to teach me through this?” I’ve found that asking the right question about my job makes all the difference in how satisfied I am with it.