At a pivotal time in my life, I read an article by a man who left a lucrative career to work for a faith-based organization. After much prayer and discussions with his wife, he made the decision to take a huge pay cut to work for God. He stated that as soon as he made the switch, he knew it was the right decision.
The timing of reading this article was perfect. I was working as an executive assistant in the corporate world and was paid very well, and for the most part, was treated very well, too. Although I was relatively happy with this job, I had a deep desire to work for God. To work for the Catholic Church would involve a major pay cut. The article, I felt, was a sign encouraging me to take a leap of faith and make the change.
Immediately, the difference was palpable. I was excited to work in an environment where everywhere I turned, there was a statue or a little shrine. It was commonplace to receive not only a thank you after a business transaction, but a God bless you as well! We stopped at noon each day to pray the Angelus together. It was wonderful to work for God! I felt it physically, and my friends remarked on how much happier I seemed.
If you are thinking about leaving a stressful, but good-paying job, in favor of a lower-paying job with an organization that aligns with your ideals, there are a few things to remember.
The grass is not always greener on the other side. Working for the Church or any other non-profit has its challenges, too – ones that go beyond a smaller paycheck. There are difficult, unreasonable people in these organizations, like any other. I remember saying to my spiritual director that in the corporate world when I encountered a difficult person, I felt that it was because I was a practicing Christian, and they were not. When I started working with other Christians, it was extremely disappointing to find that they, too, could be unkind. I had to learn that all of us are in need of redemption, and that truly, we are all sinners. I had to practice the virtue of forgiveness with those from whom I expected better.
I also learned that you can work in a secular environment and live out your Christianity – it is all in how you do it. People used to tell me this when I was working in the corporate world, but I didn’t realize what an impact I could have. Now, I see the endless opportunities of bringing Christ into a secular setting. Simply follow Jesus’ advice throughout your workday:
“Do to others as you would have them do to you.” Luke 6:31
The phrase “go the extra mile” comes from Jesus’ statement, “Should anyone press you into service for one mile, go with him for two miles.” Matthew 5:41
Forgiving others and being merciful are the key points of Jesus’ teachings, practices that can make the workplace a peaceful place – not only for others, but for you as well.
One day during my lunch break, I decided to attend First Friday Mass for the first time. I saw several people from my office there whom I didn’t even know were Catholic. Yet, I recognized in each of them something unique and special about the way they treated others. They had integrity, they were fair, they were kind, they cared about others. In other words, their virtues shone through in their work. As much as I didn’t expect to see them attending a daily Mass, I realized I shouldn’t have been surprised either.
So, if you do wind up working for God, you’ll know the difference in yourself. If you wind up staying where you are and serving God there, people will notice the difference in you.
Sister M. Emily Vincent Rebalsky, IHM, is the program director at Villa Maria by the Sea Retreat Center, Stone Harbor. For more information about retreats at Villa Maria by the Sea, visit VMbytheSea.com. For information about discerning a vocation with the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Malvern, PA, visit ihmimmaculata.org.
at the bottom and then tap “Add to Home Screen”
