Reflections

It can be difficult to know what kind of work to do in an age when society has become so technologised.

I have worked in a variety of jobs since becoming a Christian, but I have never felt comfortable being in ‘vertical’ rather than ‘horizontal’ power relationships (which is an idea I found in a book by Alfred Adler).

My thoughts on this subject have been very much influenced by the cruelty of the mental health system in London. Doctors, nurses, support workers, managers, and others are all part of power structures that mean people earn they money in roles that oppress others, sometimes in the most atrocious conditions. After all, mental illness is a scientific idea (and a lie), not a Biblical idea. I am currently writing this from a ‘private’ hospital whose activities are shrouded in mystery. I’m not even mentally unwell, but as usual, God is using me for His perfect purposes, so I know I’m where I’m meant to be right now.

Christians should be very wary of the deeply wicked and highly abusive mental health system in London.

So what kind of work should we be doing as Christians? Hard work, yes. I think the Apostle Paul would agree. Work which we can undertake quietly and diligently and with kindness, I think.

Is it important to earn a lot of money as a Christian? I don’t think so. I actually think the opposite is true. We should rely on God to meet our needs, and a life of poverty is to be embraced. After all, Jesus taught that we should seek treasure in Heaven, not treasure on Earth.

I have personally opted for self-employment at this time in my life, because it allows me to escape unbalanced power relationships and have a lot more freedom to do the will of God ‘on the ground’, so to speak. I think if Christians work in organisations, they should be at the bottom rather than the top. To seek to exercise power over others is not very ‘Christian’, in my view.

As soon as management opportunities arose for me in jobs I have done, God protected me from them, and I am so thankful for that. Since becoming well known, I have been very close to homelessness, begging to people on the street for change, and although close to no one purchases any of my products these days, I am confident that God will continue to provide for me in every way. And God knows I have worked extremely hard.

We should never judge others in any way, of course, as there is one judge, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

When we have given our lives to Jesus, we can be confident that God will place us exactly where we are supposed to be at any given time, and will take us on a journey, perhaps involving employment, that will result in the salvation of our souls. That journey may be very difficult (many are the afflictions of the righteous), but if we remain true to Him, we can be confident that we are always on the right path, the path of everlasting life.

God bless,

Steven x