Job Listings

Where does your job fit in on the "best and worst jobs" list?  Last year Forbes magazine published an article that pointed to a study that CareerCast.com did of 200 jobs in America.  The analysis looked at salary, job outlook, work environment and stress and ranked the jobs at the top and at the bottom.  Here are their top jobs:
- Actuary
- Biomedical Engineer
- Software Engineer
- Financial Planner
- Occupational Therapist

My first thought after reading that list was, "What is an Actuary?"  My second thought was, "It is church budget time, I'm glad pastor was not on the top jobs list.  It would not bode well for a raise."

So what makes a job a "worst job?"  Such things as always being on call and facing a deadline, working in a high stress environment, little pay, routinely working outdoors on the hottest and the coldest days and putting yourself in constant risk of serious injury or death.  My thought after reading that was, "Pastor is not going to make that list either."  Sure enough it didn't, but these are the top five jobs that made the "worst" list:
- Butcher
- Dishwasher
- Roofer
- Meter Reader
- Dairy Farmer

Hey, I grew up doing that last one.  My Dad was a dairy farmer for about 30 years and seemed, for the most part, to enjoy what he did.  I did not think it was that bad of a job but I am glad on these 100 degree days that God called me to be a pastor and that I live in the days of air conditioning.  I am also thankful not to be in a hay field in August.

In the end, though, I think it is not about a best or worst jobs list or even about the conditions you work under.  It is the attitude you have toward the work you do that is most important.  There are probably some unhappy Actuaries out there, whatever it is they do.  I have known some pretty happy people on the "worst" job list.

This Sunday we will look at "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord."  Paul was writing this to those who were slaves.  I think that slave would have made the "worst" list. There was a way that God has for us to face our work with purpose, even if your job is on the "worst" list, perhaps even to let Him make you as content as an Actuary.

for the journey...

Tim