Overestimating The Significance Of Corporate Achievement

As a source of stability and an outlet for self-development, one's career can be an appreciated pillar in one's life, as opposed to a necessity that would be eagerly tossed aside if modern life was restructured.  Many people, Christians included, would like to reach the point where they enjoy their occupations in this way.  Because of the integral role of the workplace (whatever kind it is) in modern life, it would likely not be particularly difficult to find someone who orients their life around their careers instead of the other way around.

An occupation, however, no matter how sincerely or passionately it is approached, is only a means to an end.  That end might be money, power, renown, benevolence, a sense of subjective fulfillment, or any combination of these, but a job is always aimed at some personal objective.  While someone may appreciate their job because it is a job or because it contains a particular set of tasks or duties, they don't enjoy their work for no reason other than that it is an occupation.  Something else is always the motivating factor behind a person's career.

In light of this, it is irrational to regard one's occupation as the ultimate manifestation of purpose or fulfillment.  There is nothing wrong even with viewing one's job with a high level of personal attachment, but many people approach their careers as if they have an existential significance that they do not have outside of their perceptions.  They look to their work as if their professional reputation dictates their perceived worth as an individual, as if their workplace accomplishments are the default apex expressions of their talents, and as if they will be aimless apart from specific occupations.

Careers have a vital financial significance and can certainly provide a sense of stability, but it remains foolish to expect them to define the existential ramifications of one's life.  Even some Christians need to be reminded of this from time to time.  Subjective satisfaction with a career is quite important on a personal level for many individuals nonetheless, and this needs be affirmed without overestimating the ultimate value of corporate achievement and workplace reputation.