Have You Considered My Servant Job?

I don’t think its coincidence that a job, or place of work, is spelled the exact same way as Job, a biblical figure described as “blessed and upright” but undergoes a series of uncanny challenges. In case you didn’t know, Job, as in Have you considered my servant Job, is pronounced JOBE, which rhymes with GLOBE, PROBE, and ROBE.

So why the sudden twist in enunciation? A more applicable question would be: Whose idea was it to call it that in the first place? I bet it was The Man’s idea. During the birth of the capitalist world-system, I bet he and his cohorts held a private meeting and declared that “job” would be the official title of an honest day’s work. The whole idea was to break those with the best intentions.

It really isn’t that difficult to believe. After all, Job and jobs have been known to share many similarities. Both seem to be associated with an incredible amount of punishment. Both get asked, often repeatedly, what they did wrong. And when things really go awry, both curse the day they were born. In respect to a job, this could mean quitting, getting laid off, or debating your purpose in life.

Have you considered my servant job (i.e., have considered the suffering I’ve endured)?

Just think of the despair you felt when your career, or life’s calling, didn’t pan out the way you thought it would. Or when there didn’t seem to be a logical explanation for your hardship or suffering. As far as you were concerned, you did everything right! You went to school and obtained the proper education. You showed up on time, and practically threw yourself into your work. Is this not what you were meant to do?

So what are your choices? Some would suggest pursuing a career or position in lieu of a run-of-the-mill job. For others, starting a business is the right solution. But what you will find is regardless of the path you take, everyone will endure their share of challenge and hardship. There really isn’t a way around it.

Every now and then we find idiosyncrasies like Job and job, and it would probably serve us well if we paid attention to them. I don’t know why some things go the way they do, or why it seems “the righteous suffer.” I reckon none us ever will. But what I trust is that good things eventually happen for those who wait patiently, and that no good deed goes unrewarded. This is the key to success in all walks of life.

The next time your situation seems hopeless, let this post remind you to consider the servant Job. He may have endured many struggles, but he came out stronger in the long run. No one is exempt from hard times, no matter how light or heavy the load. The important thing is to never give up on your dreams and aspirations!  Be patient, your breakthrough is on the way!

This is your Monday Unleaded for the week of June 30, 2013. Have a productive week!

Threw It on the Ground – The Lonely Island (Andy Samberg)