“‘Can you follow up on this?” ‘I have some questions about that report.’ ‘I’m gonna forward you this email thread. Look it over, and give me your thoughts.’ ‘I need this done within the hour.’ ‘Are you available for a group call?’ All the while I responded with a smile. Inside, Derek, every part of me wanted to scream, ‘Leave me alone!’”
This is a small sample of a very long monologue from an exasperated friend of mine — whose permission I have to write about this — as he rehashed a rather hellish few weeks of life at work. His superiors and colleagues inundated him with tasks. All were “urgent”, and they just overwhelmed him.
It was an honor that he thought of me as a safe person to be a sounding board to vent his frustration. In times like those, we need someone who’ll hear us without judgment and will only offer advice when asked.
In Christendom, however, the latter is often difficult to resist. While we’re listening to someone pour out their deepest thoughts, unbeknownst to them, we divert our focus to scroll through a mental Rolodex of scripture to find an appropriate verse to interject into the conversation.
As my friend feverishly continued to express his pain, I think now about Workers’ Compensation — commonly coined as “workers’ comp”. It’s a type of insurance that extends benefits to employees with work-related injuries or illnesses. More importantly, it helps pay for medical care, wages from lost work time, and more. He was definitely “hurt” by the nonstop barrage of work requests, and he didn’t get a thank you after he completed them.
The more he ranted, I remained silent. I wanted him to get all that was in him out of his system. After 20 minutes or so, his rage finally subsided. In an almost whispery tone, he concluded, “You know? Yes, work has been tough lately, but I really shouldn’t complain. I have a good job. It’s a hectic season for all of us, but business has been better than ever. I work with a great group of people. I’ll talk to them about how I’ve been feeling. Hey, I’m able to provide for my family the way I’ve always wanted to. God has been good to me, and I’m grateful for the position I have. Thanks for listening to me, brother.” “Wow”, I said inwardly and then to him, “Anytime, brother.”
Reflecting on this, my friend is correct. There are scores of people who are more than willing to assume his working pains. They’ve been praying and diligently networking for employment.
According to data from the state of Georgia —where I’m based — 940,000 residents have filed for unemployment insurance (UI) since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020. Of that total, the majority were African Americans (55%), followed by Whites (42%), Asians (2%), and Latinos (1%). The gender split of UI claimants was skewed towards males (55%). Females weren’t far behind at 45%.
On a national level, the statistics were almost similar. Blacks and Latinos disproportionately had greater rates of unemployment. In April 2020, the USA’s peak jobless rate was 14.7%, the highest since the initial tracking of employment data in 1948. It even surpassed the percentages during the Great Recession. Globally, a United Nations report projects the pandemic in 2022 will increase unemployment to over 200 million people and be more likely to affect female and young populations.
In the aforementioned chapter of the book of James, he also writes, “Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow (James 1:17).”
As the economy gradually rebounds from the pandemic and job opportunities are opening up again, I pray that those who want a job get one. To work is a privilege and indeed a compensation. It’s a form of protection God gives to provide security for our families and to be a blessing to others.
Thank You, God, for employment. You placed us where we are. In return for our work, You bless us with skills and income. Therefore, as Colossians 3:23 says, we’ll work willingly at whatever we do, as though we’re working for You rather than people.
Sources:
All Biblical references are taken from the New Living Translation
Scripture: James 1:19
Article (Data Research): “State of Working Georgia Before and During COVID-19” by Alex Camardelle
Article (Data Research): “Analysis of the COVID-19 impacts on employment and unemployment across the multi-dimensional social disadvantaged areas” by Anzhelika Antipova
Article (Data Research): “COVID crisis to push global unemployment over 200 million mark in 2022”
Scripture: James 1:17
Scripture: Colossians: 3:23
