With massive lay-offs occurring and hiring freezes in place, workers are concerned about holding onto their jobs or finding new ones.

These trying economic times demand a spiritual perspective that enables one to stay employed and profitably engaged regardless of depressing statistics spewing over the headlines.

Employment is much more than occupying a seat in a cubicle and typing on a keyboard, or standing at a counter checking out items.

Employment is about meeting needs–genuine needs. It’s about engaging with activity that has value and worth and supplying services that improve the experience of humanity.

Times have changed, and jobs that were necessary a few years ago are no longer necessary, thus the layoffs. But humanity’s needs are greater than ever. People, by the millions, are crying out for solutions to problems they face, much more than even a few months ago. The opportunity for employment is greater than ever. People who discern these needs and meet them are going to stay fully employed.

The workers who are highest in demand are those who accurately discern the needs of customers, or potential customers, and meet them.

The ultimate demonstration of employment was Jesus Christ who never lacked for work. And he never worried about collecting a paycheck either. “The laborer is worthy of his hire,” he taught.

As Jesus went about his Father’s business of helping and healing others, his needs were met. People gave him food. Rich widows provided money for his band of workers. Even though he had enemies determined to stop him, those whom he blessed rose to his aide and met many of his temporal needs. The law of Love he lived provided for him on all sides of his experience. He never lacked.

We are all healers.

Working is about healing others, bringing solutions into their lives, discerning their needs and meeting them, unselfishly giving where there is opportunity to give and not complaining if extra unselfishness is required on our part. We are worthy of our hire, and will receive reward for success that genuinely advances the community we work in.

Employment is not watching the clock tick until 5 in the afternoon. Employment is not bidding time until retirement. Employment is not an entitlement because of seniority. Employment is not always doing what we want to do. Employment is about serving God and serving others in productive and profitable ways. It’s about being flexible, versatile, creative, ingenious, discerning, responsive, and out going. It’s about helping and healing others in need by meeting those needs.

There is more opportunity than ever for employment today for the chorus of voices rising in distress is greater than it has been in a long time. God gives us the skill, talent, ability and love necessary to respond to those calls of distress, and keep ourselves fully employed helping out. Each of us has a special employment niche to occupy, but every job comes down to the same basic task—helping and healing others.

As we look for opportunities around us to help and heal, we’ll find plenty of work to keep us fully employed.

And pay the bills too!