More on Ecclesiasticus (Sirach) Chapter 40 and the Weight of Work
So far, we've seen passages from Ecclesiasticus that have broadened our understanding of the weight of our work. Today we find how our personal faults and sins add to the weight that has been added to our work "after the Fall." Let's begin:
"wrath, envy, trouble, unquietness, and the fear of death, continual anger, and strife. And in the time of rest upon his bed, the sleep of the night changeth this knowledge."
Quite a list, isn't it? I don't want to be presumptuous, but who has not at least experienced some, if not all of these? Even if we're personally faultless, even if we've never committed any sins of, for example, anger and envy, we're greeted by such simply in our engagement with the world.
At work, I've dealt with many individuals who created disturbances in the workplace due to both their personality flaws and bad behavior. Sometimes individuals direct these right between your eyes. But even if they're not directed at you personally, you inevitably suffer the consequences of being, even if indirectly, subject to their behavior.
"A little and as nothing is his rest, and afterward in sleep, as in the day of keeping watch. He is troubled in the vision of his heart, as if he had escaped in the day of battle, in the time of his safety he rose up, and wondereth that there is no fear: Such things happen to all flesh, from man even to beast, and upon sinners are sevenfold more. Moreover, death, and bloodshed, strife, and sword, oppressions, famine, and affliction, and scourges: All these things are created for the wicked and for their sakes came the flood."
We see how, even if we ourselves are not the cause of trouble, others who cause may bring it upon us. In the worst instances, you can find that persistent conflict and lack of cooperation - if not downright hostility - will easily spill over into your personal life. So much so, even when you've left the toxic environment, and managed to find a little peaceful space, the impact causes you to "wondereth that there is no fear." It's hard to shake. It can even cause you to be on edge, impatient with your family.
Putting up with bad behavior in the workplace can, in limited cased, be a good source of mortification. Just being a witness to it can be disturbing enough to offer up. Of course, if there's any possibility you can ameliorate the conditions or help to defuse a tense situation, go for it. But that's not always possible.
What about truly "toxic" work environments? I've spent some time with this. One instance was when a company I worked for had a major management change. The old guard - a rather unsavory, nasty collection to begin with - became aware they were about to be dumped into the waste pile. On one memorable occasion, two senior guys who wouldn't have given me the time of day, stopped by my office, closed the door and sat for a while alternating between being obsequious and venting their frustration and anger at the "unjust" situation in which they found themselves. I had known both as master manipulators whose manipulations including unwelcome advances on women employees - at a time when such behavior was not scrutinized the way it might be these days.
In short they were rather unpleasant, reprehensible characters who would throw you under the bus in a heartbeat if it meant a raise or a promotion.
Frankly, I was rather uncomfortable sitting there listening to them. So full of themselves were each, they actually expected me to sympathize with their plight. Eventually both were unceremoniously let go.
And in the typical big corporate pattern, all the new management that sacrificed these guys - and many others - on the altar of money and power all got the heave-ho themselves. It happened when the company underwent a hostile takeover.
Throughout it all, I was one of those just trying to keep my head down as the big boys were slashing and slaughtering each other. Thinking back, it was pretty nerve-wracking. It went on for almost a year and a half. I had a wife and two kids with a third on the way. I kept trying to walk a thin line between opposing camps. I really needed the salary and wasn't accomplished enough to have any confidence that I'd land on my feet quickly if I chose the wrong side.
If you're ever in a toxic situation at work (and there are worse, of course) that drags on interminably like this one, consider doing whatever you have to do to extricate yourself. While I do understand that, as our Scripture says, "Such things happen to all flesh, from man even to beast, and upon sinners sevenfold," I don't think you're required to just sit there and take if if you can help it.
And in case you'd rather try walking the tightrope as did I back then, consider this: When that hostile takeover occurred, the guy who headed up the victorious party actually stopped by my humble office. He was a famous (name withheld) corporate raider, then much in the public eye, rich and powerful. And there he was, smiling and encouraging me - little 'ol me. The idea was to settle us nervous chickens down after all the drama. At the time, being rather naive, I bought it hook. line, and sinker and got back to putting in my best efforts each day. Within weeks, I was laid off - just like that. It seems the new management team decided that anyone who worked under the conquered enemies had to go, no matter their qualifications or the good work they did.
I somehow ultimately survived.
Next time, we'll see how our Scripture passage manages to refocus us from the more harrowing side of life to something more encouraging.
"wrath, envy, trouble, unquietness, and the fear of death, continual anger, and strife. And in the time of rest upon his bed, the sleep of the night changeth this knowledge."
Quite a list, isn't it? I don't want to be presumptuous, but who has not at least experienced some, if not all of these? Even if we're personally faultless, even if we've never committed any sins of, for example, anger and envy, we're greeted by such simply in our engagement with the world.
At work, I've dealt with many individuals who created disturbances in the workplace due to both their personality flaws and bad behavior. Sometimes individuals direct these right between your eyes. But even if they're not directed at you personally, you inevitably suffer the consequences of being, even if indirectly, subject to their behavior.
"A little and as nothing is his rest, and afterward in sleep, as in the day of keeping watch. He is troubled in the vision of his heart, as if he had escaped in the day of battle, in the time of his safety he rose up, and wondereth that there is no fear: Such things happen to all flesh, from man even to beast, and upon sinners are sevenfold more. Moreover, death, and bloodshed, strife, and sword, oppressions, famine, and affliction, and scourges: All these things are created for the wicked and for their sakes came the flood."
We see how, even if we ourselves are not the cause of trouble, others who cause may bring it upon us. In the worst instances, you can find that persistent conflict and lack of cooperation - if not downright hostility - will easily spill over into your personal life. So much so, even when you've left the toxic environment, and managed to find a little peaceful space, the impact causes you to "wondereth that there is no fear." It's hard to shake. It can even cause you to be on edge, impatient with your family.
Putting up with bad behavior in the workplace can, in limited cased, be a good source of mortification. Just being a witness to it can be disturbing enough to offer up. Of course, if there's any possibility you can ameliorate the conditions or help to defuse a tense situation, go for it. But that's not always possible.
What about truly "toxic" work environments? I've spent some time with this. One instance was when a company I worked for had a major management change. The old guard - a rather unsavory, nasty collection to begin with - became aware they were about to be dumped into the waste pile. On one memorable occasion, two senior guys who wouldn't have given me the time of day, stopped by my office, closed the door and sat for a while alternating between being obsequious and venting their frustration and anger at the "unjust" situation in which they found themselves. I had known both as master manipulators whose manipulations including unwelcome advances on women employees - at a time when such behavior was not scrutinized the way it might be these days.
In short they were rather unpleasant, reprehensible characters who would throw you under the bus in a heartbeat if it meant a raise or a promotion.
Frankly, I was rather uncomfortable sitting there listening to them. So full of themselves were each, they actually expected me to sympathize with their plight. Eventually both were unceremoniously let go.
And in the typical big corporate pattern, all the new management that sacrificed these guys - and many others - on the altar of money and power all got the heave-ho themselves. It happened when the company underwent a hostile takeover.
Throughout it all, I was one of those just trying to keep my head down as the big boys were slashing and slaughtering each other. Thinking back, it was pretty nerve-wracking. It went on for almost a year and a half. I had a wife and two kids with a third on the way. I kept trying to walk a thin line between opposing camps. I really needed the salary and wasn't accomplished enough to have any confidence that I'd land on my feet quickly if I chose the wrong side.
If you're ever in a toxic situation at work (and there are worse, of course) that drags on interminably like this one, consider doing whatever you have to do to extricate yourself. While I do understand that, as our Scripture says, "Such things happen to all flesh, from man even to beast, and upon sinners sevenfold," I don't think you're required to just sit there and take if if you can help it.
And in case you'd rather try walking the tightrope as did I back then, consider this: When that hostile takeover occurred, the guy who headed up the victorious party actually stopped by my humble office. He was a famous (name withheld) corporate raider, then much in the public eye, rich and powerful. And there he was, smiling and encouraging me - little 'ol me. The idea was to settle us nervous chickens down after all the drama. At the time, being rather naive, I bought it hook. line, and sinker and got back to putting in my best efforts each day. Within weeks, I was laid off - just like that. It seems the new management team decided that anyone who worked under the conquered enemies had to go, no matter their qualifications or the good work they did.
I somehow ultimately survived.
Next time, we'll see how our Scripture passage manages to refocus us from the more harrowing side of life to something more encouraging.
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