找到最適合你的理想工作

這四個評分標準是: 第一、你熱愛這個工作。第二、你對這個工作非常拿手。第三、這個世界需要有人做這個工作。第四、做這個工作你能得到報酬。如果你能找到符合這四項標準的工作，你已經找到一個同時給你專業、使命、呼召和持續去做的熱情的理想工作了。

最近我去找我的胸腔外科醫生做例行的檢查，這位醫生八年前曾經幫我做過開心手術。我想，這位醫師顯然很享受他的工作、他同時也是胸腔科技術頂尖的醫師之一、這個工作需求也很高而且他做這個工作薪水也很豐厚。

但是你不需要一定要從事高報酬的工作才能符合這四項標準。在我的職業生涯當中，我很幸運地能擁有一個幾乎是完美配合我的工作。幾年前，有一節聖經的經文很恰當地描述了我的工作：「 我心裏湧出美辭； 我論到我為王做的事， 我的舌頭是快手筆。」 (詩篇45篇1節)

當然不是每個人都被呼召出來寫作。但是每個人都有獨特的天賦和技能，如果能好好地應用的話，就會使我們的工作成為喜樂的泉源，而不是苦差事。下面是聖經對工作的觀點:

愛你的工作。 如果我們相信神創造我們是有目的地的，我們就有信心祂已經裝備我們以及給我們機會來做這個特別的工作。「耶和華啊，我舌頭上的話，你沒有一句不知道的。」 (詩篇139篇4節)

工作表現傑出。雖然這不可能一夜之間就發生，但只要我們致力於工作的品質和委身，時間到了工作的績效就會被得到注視和獎賞。「你看見辦事殷勤的人嗎？ 他必站在君王面前， 必不站在下賤人面前。」(箴言22章29節)

做該做的事 單調重複性高的工作似乎無法帶來什麼成就感，但是如果我們賦予工作目的和意義，這就成了我們的獎賞。就像是幾世紀前造石頭房屋的工匠，他說:他喜樂是因為他不是在造一座牆，而是一間教會。「我們原是他的工作，在基督耶穌裏造成的，為要叫我們行善，就是上帝所預備叫我們行的。」 (以弗所書2章10節)

從你的工作得到報酬 。當我們在工作上有所成就時，可以兼差去做我們很喜歡做的事當義工。我們會發現因為做喜歡做的事情而得到報酬。因為經上說：「牛在場上踹穀的時候，不可籠住牠的嘴」(申命記25章4節)；又說：「工人得工價是應當的。」(提摩太前書5章18節)

勞勃．泰默西是領袖資產協會的傳播部副部長，這是一個總部在美國喬治亞州亞特蘭大的非營利組織。

These criteria include: 1) you love the work; 2) you excel at doing the work; 3) the world needs the work; and 4) you get compensated for doing the work. If you can find a position that meets all four of these, you will have a job that not only gives you a profession, but also a mission, a sense of calling, and something you can pursue with great passion.

Recently I had my annual checkup with my cardiothoracic surgeon, who performed open-heart surgery on me more than eight years ago. I thought about how his career fits this description. He clearly enjoys what he does, he is one of the most skilled at the types of surgeries he performs, there is obviously a need for it – and he is paid well for his work.

But you do not have to be a highly compensated professional to fit the criteria. Throughout much of own my career, I have been blessed to have jobs that seemed nearly perfect for me. Years ago I discovered a Bible passage that aptly describes what I do: “My heart is overflowing with a good theme; I recite my composition concerning the King; my tongue is the pen of a ready writer” (Psalm 45:1).

Not everyone is called to write, of course. But we all have innate, unique gifts and skills that properly and fully utilized could make work a source of joy, not drudgery. Here is a biblical perspective:

Loving your work. If we believe God designed us with purpose, we can trust He equipped us to perform special work – and to enjoy the opportunity to do it. The challenge is to discover what that work is, and then to pursue it wholeheartedly. “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well” (Psalm 139:14).

Excelling at your work. It may not happen immediately, but if we seek to perform our work with quality, with a commitment to excellence, in time it will be noticed – and rewarded. “Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve before kings; he will not serve before obscure men” (Proverbs 22:29).

Doing work that is needed. Tedious, repetitive work might not seem fulfilling, but if our work has purpose and meaning, it can become its own reward. Like the stonemason on a construction crew centuries ago. He said he rejoiced because, “I am not building a wall. I am building a cathedral!” “For we are God”s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Ephesians 2:10).

Being paid for your work. There may be times when it might be necessary to volunteer or work only part-time at those things we enjoy most, but if we can succeed in merging our work and passion, we will find ourselves being compensated for what we love to do. “For Scripture says, “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain” and “The worker deserves his wages”” (1 Timothy 5:18).

© 2015. Robert J. Tamasy is vice president of communications for Leaders Legacy, Inc., a non-profit based in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A.