Providence is the notion that God designed and sustains the world in such a way to provide for the needs of those of us who live here: The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time. You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing. (Psalms 145:15-16) Providence unexpectedly provides a clue to the significance of our daily work.  The clue is found in details of the mechanics of providence.... Read more

  The damaged nature of the world means my work can matter to God. One of the most powerful contributions of the Christian faith to our understanding of daily life is the notion that the world we live in is not the world for which we were made.  We were desinged for an existence of unhindered connection with God, others, self, and nature (the realm of work).  But all these connections were damaged by human rebellion against God’s “godness”–we’d rather... Read more

Here’s a question some of us can’t seem to outrun and others of us fear like the plague: “What is the point of my job?”   To launch into the work side of 2016, we begin with a slight spin on this  question:  “Does my work matter to God?” Answer: “Yes.”  The first of 10 reasons why is this: God’s work is complete. God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female... Read more

In Marketplace Faith, I seek to explore the dynamics of modern work through the lens of ancient faith.  Here are several series and individuals posts that make the highlight real for the inaugural season.  Please use the comments section to suggest themes, questions, or issues that you’d like to see explored in 2016.   We’ll begin 2016 with a series on the advantages faith brings to the workplace. SHAME:  How is the experience of shame (the fear of inadequacy)  in... Read more

Sometimes the best strategy for dealing with a miserable job is the exit.   In processing job-related frustration, we strive to steer clear of two opposite pitfalls. On the one hand, we leave to early, putting all the blame on “the job,” missing the lessons we are meant to learn by weathering the storm. This has been the thrust of the prior posts in this series: The Vocational Pancake: a secret to escaping the miserable job          “Why is my job... Read more

  When a stack of pancakes sits for a while, butter and syrup soaking in, the individual cakes stick together. This compressed pile of fried dough is fine for eating. But when we are facing a miserable job, pealing apart the layers is key to a clean escape.   3 Layers To Your Work In Dan Miller’s 48 Days To The Work You Love, he shares a very helpful breakdown of the 3 layers or hidden categories that are worth... Read more

  The Misery Conspiracy It seems like a conspiracy. The new job or the new career never turn out exactly like we expect. Sometimes the move is really a move up.  Sometimes, at least on the job satisfaction scale, it’s a move down. Usually, we find ourselves trading one set of negatives for a new set of negatives and end up breaking even. Why? Is the job creation world colluding in a conspiracy of misery? There are two answers that... Read more

How do you survive a miserable job?  In this post we pause to inventory the misery factors in your current position and then unveil the components of a best-next strategy.   What Makes Your Job Miserable?  –       the boss is never satisfied, is always changing the focus, and seems unappreciative of your herculean efforts to meet her demands –       your coworkers punish achievement, are a constant source of gossip, or are so competitive that they’re dangerous –       you have awoken... Read more

In the wake of the 12-2-2015 mass shooting in San Bernardino, CA, the New York Daily News jumped on Republican Candidates who tweeted “thoughts and prayers” for the victims and their families.  The paper published a provocative front page that said “God Isn’t Fixing This.” https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2015/12/02/the-new-york-daily-newss-very-provocative-front-page-on-the-san-bernardino-shooting/ Despite the apparent anti-religious bias of the Daily News, the excited affirmations of others who have chimed in, the intense debate over gun control, and the evolving details of the tragedy (which seems to... Read more

Several years ago I was chatting with my nephew. I asked him what was one of the most valuable lessons he’d been taught by his father. His answer surprised me. It was this: “always assume it’s your fault.” My brother in law was not suggesting an over-functioning sense of responsibility for the faults of others. He was simply saying that ”if a situation goes south, look at yourself before pointing the finger of blame at others.” I have counseled hundreds... Read more