I'm the Janitor

The other day we were watching a movie in one of my education classes. It was a very insightful movie about how segregation still rears its ugly head in modern day America. There were a lot of things I agreed with.

And yet, something gnawed at me the whole time. The movie talked about how it was often assumed that people of certain ethnic backgrounds would be better off working with their hands, doing jobs such as janitor work or construction or potentially a trade. Consequently, in schools those people were often put into lower track courses, and did not end up going on to "bigger" things.

While I do agree that it is atrocious that a person be academically categorized by his ethnic background instead of his intellectual capabilities, I was very sad to see the disgust displayed for jobs like being a janitor or working with your hands. Our society has slowly shifted to see a college education followed by a "good" job as the only respectable track for a person. Being a janitor, a maid, a fast food worker, a physical laborer, a factory worker - all these things are looked down on as jobs.

As Christians, should we really let ourselves get pulled into that thinking? Why should we find a job mopping floors any less respectable than a job in an accounting firm? This system of "respectability" is something that we've created. Janitors, maids, fast food workers, and the like are a vital part of our society.

Am I suggesting that we shouldn't encourage students to reach high and get the most out of their education? Of course not! What I am suggesting is that we rethink how we view different jobs. Shouldn't a Christian be able to be content flipping burgers and do that for the glory of God? Now, when we've been given gifts in another area, great, let's use them. However, let's learn a little more respect for the jobs everyone else looks down on.

A thought for the day: If you were given a new job as a janitor in a high school, could you do it without feeling ashamed? Could you do it for the rest of your life and praise GOD with your work? Maybe it's time for us to double check how much of the world's way of thinking has entered our own thought patterns.