Work, Purpose, and Freedom

As we continue our “Freedom” series, this month we will focus on freedom in our work and purpose. Many people derive great satisfaction from their work, while others complain of its drudgery, hardship, and something that constrains their life and desires.

While most people have to work to cover bills in real life, the reality is that our work can either feel like a massive piece of our freedom or more like enslavement to a “system”. A wise mentor once told me “Karen, we work for SATISFACTION and we receive MONEY for service we render in the betterment of another person or society”. I often think about that when I am creating things or doing work of any kind. Work truly DOES increase our satisfaction, our self-esteem,  our need to build and create, and gives a great sense of accomplishment. I personally believe it helps keep things like depression and destruction away from a society when people are engaged in work that feels like a calling to them.

Here are some things to think about, journal about, and pray over as you consider your work, purpose, and freedom together:

When you think about your work, do you think it brings you freedom? In what ways?

•  Monetary
• Fulfilling your personal purpose
• Spiritually
• Emotionally
• Intellectually

Or does it feel like work is heavy, hard, draining? In what ways?

Have you ever met someone from a communist or socialist country whose work was either forced on them by the government or removed from them? How did it impact you hearing their story and personal experiences?

What is your perspective on stewardship?

Are you a good steward with your work?

Do you show up on time consistently?

Do you do your work to the best of your ability every day?

Do you honor, respect, and grow what has been entrusted to you by your employer?

Do you steal anything from your workplace, such as time, office supplies, opportunities that get wasted, or conflict with other employees that steals time and resources from other parts of the company?

Do you consistently have a good attitude at work?

Do you speak well of your employer and your company?

Are you bored at work?

Are you ready for a new challenge at work? In what way?

If you are/were the public face of where you work, would the company’s revenue, profit, valuation, or reputation increase or decrease?

Are you doing anything illegal with your business?

Are you treating customers with respect, giving good value for what you provide, etc?

Do you take unfair advantage of your customers? (this is different than making a fair profit for service rendered)

Do you make fun of or mock your customers when they are not around?

Does the work you do add to other people’s freedom or infringe upon it?

If you are self-employed, do you show up fully for yourself and your customers every day?

Do you honor your work and your paycheck by being a good steward of your money by budgeting, saving, investing, etc?

How does your work contribute to the great economy and society?

Do you feel called by God to do some specific work?

• Are you doing it now?
• If not, what is holding you back from doing it?