The heartbeat of WorkMatters is to bridge the enormous gap between faith and work. One of the most effective ways we equip men and women in the marketplace is through sharing real life stories. I hope that you will take the time to read this compelling story from an awesome servant leader, who I had the privilege to hire when I worked at J.B. Hunt Transport and who now serves on our WorkMatters Board of Directors. This is a letter that Spencer Frazier, VP Sales & Walmart Services, wrote to a Pastor recently. Enjoy…
Doug,
Alison mentioned you are working on a sermon about ministry in the workplace and asked if I would share a few of my thoughts. First, I’m excited you are going to discuss faith and work. It is a great opportunity to highlight how we can easily compartmentalize the way we live, and miss out on the opportunities God gives us to be close to Him every day.
As a believer, I came to know and connect with God through my Church and family. However, after starting my first real job I often felt something missing at work, only realizing later I would disconnect from God Monday through Friday and focus only on what I wanted or expected out of my work. I always thought I should be doing something more exciting, more rewarding, more purposeful, more high-profile, more meaningful. The trucking business did not seem to be able to fill those desires, leaving me like many other people…somewhat disenchanted and uninspired, working to pay the bills, going through the motions and keeping an eye out for something better.
Even with this view, I worked hard trying to make sure I did my best and subsequently was frequently promoted. The increasing responsibilities and challenges were appreciated, but the new rewards always fell short of overcoming that void in my heart of wanting something more.
This all changed in November of 2000, when I started working for David Roth. Even though the “official” beginning of WorkMatters did not occur for three years, David and the leadership at J.B. Hunt opened my eyes and my heart to the concept of living out my faith at work. It seems so simple now, but it was a big leap for me to put these two parts of my life together. It was hard to consider God was interested in the work I did, how I did it and the results of my efforts. But after considering the opportunity God was giving me to choose a different attitude toward work, I was awakened to a whole new vision of how not just my work but my daily life was in God’s hands. I had been where God wanted me to be all along.
With this new attitude and looking in the rear view mirror, I could now more clearly see how God had been working, stretching me and pulling me along at Church, at home and at work. I soon fully embraced the fact He is with me 24/7, not just on Sunday. At Church during worship I’ll experience the feeling of being close to God, of being “in the zone” with Him, experiencing His love for me. This fellowship and love has now been extended to the office and also increased at home. I sit at my desk, walk the halls, go to meetings and make decisions thanking God for “right now”, because I know my purpose is to work hard, with integrity, with trust to hopefully honor and glorify Him along the way. The void or gap in my heart has been filled by His purpose, not mine. What a change, relief and joy it is to come to work every day with Him.
Ultimately, my faith and work journey can be summed up by being at peace and challenged with the knowledge God has perfectly placed me in my current position, matching the talents and experiences He has given me to meet every day’s opportunities. Today, my job is as tough as it has ever been, but it is also more exciting, rewarding, purposeful and meaningful than I could have ever imagined. I know my work matters.
Regards, Spencer
