Chuck Colson and Jack Eckerd in their book Why America Doesn’t work state that, “Deprived of meaningful work, men and women lose their reason for existence; they go stark, raving mad.” They concluded that meaningful work is a fundamental dimension of human existence, an expression of our very nature. Think for a moment the number of people in our country who are currently not working. We have teachers, nurses, doctors who are on work stoppage. Add to it the miners who have been laid off work because of credit crunch. Then you have a few millions of school leavers and university graduates who are not employed. Can you imagine how many Zambians are on verge of going mad?
Now add to this figure the thousands of Zambians who just work in order stay busy and get a salary. Has it occurred to you why Zambia does not export much quality finished manufactured products? Could it be 
that our manufacturing companies are filled with people who just work in order to get a salary? Many wonder why our Zambian professionals excel when they work overseas. Could the simple reason be that they are doing meaningful work that bring them delight and do good to others?
Just imagine that you’re a medical doctor or nurse in Zambia. How does your work bring fulfillment when you serve in a hospital that lacks medication and necessary theatre facilities to enable you save lives? Imagine working as a teacher when you are well aware that the children under your care have limited opportunity for a future?
However, no Christian should be deprived of meaningful work. Jesus our model says, “My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too I am working. I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; He can do only what he sees the Father doing, because whatever the Father does, the Son does…”(John 5:17, 19-20). Paul in 1 Corinthians 10:24 says, “Nobody should seek his own good, but the good
of others.” In another passage Paul commanded the rich, “to put their hope in God… to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life” (1 Tim. 6:17-19).
Christians are called to labor for their own and for the common good. They watch to see what the Father is doing and follow His initiative and do what He is doing. Christians make their decisions and evaluate their experiences based on biblical principles. The Bible is their guide for faith and practice. For those Christians who are on strike the question they should ask is “ Is this where God is working that I should join Him? For those unemployed Christians are you watching to see where God is working to join Him? When you adjust your life to the will of God your work becomes much more than just a need to get a salary. God is in need of men and women who will allow Him to take their life and put it where He wills and work through it to accomplish His purpose. I pray that you’re where God wants you to be. If not you will “go stark, raving, mad.” And that will be disaster for Zambia.
Lawrence Temfwe
