Career

Obedience to what God has called us to do is success. It’s a moment-to-moment, day-to-day journey of seeking God’s heart and will, regardless of how many times we stumble.

In the grand scheme of things, does my career even matter to God? Does it matter to God what I chose to do for my job?

Despite the uncertainty, I followed the wild wind of the Holy Spirit and left my counseling job when I felt Him directing me to do so. And while my new vocation has come with its own set of difficulties and has definitely required sacrifices, I’ve never been happier, and I have never regretted my decision.

When a work issue comes to mind that really needs your attention, set a time limit (try to keep it short, maybe 5 minutes) and write down the thoughts, the project, the to-do list, the calls that need to be made; get whatever is occupying your mind out on paper and then move on.

It seems God measures our success based on our dependence on Him. He notices our efforts even when no one else does.

God's call can manifest in various ways, and being open and receptive to them is essential.

[The Lord] is always teaching us something new, revealing a new mystery, sharpening a spiritual gift, refining character, opening a new door of ministry, or budding a new relationship ripe with promise.

Paul was constantly traveling and taking the Gospel to new locations, yet he never complained. Paul was beaten, shipwrecked, and imprisoned many times, yet he counted it all as joy to serve the Lord. In our own missionary endeavors, we need to reflect the same joy.

I believe the concept of a “dream job” is an American mindset and not necessarily a biblical one. Of course, God has given us abilities and interests and wants to use us in unique ways, but that may not always be how we might think. We may be given the opportunity to work a job that we love, like my husband and I did for a season, but God has a plan and wants to use us in the places he chooses. He knows what is best.

Christians in the workplace have a choice. They can join the crowd of quiet quitters or acknowledge God on the job by following His plan for work. Christian employees have a wonderful opportunity to shine brightly for God. The Bible covers all aspects of life, including work. When we study God's Word, we find the origins and purpose of work. We also learn the proper attitude toward employment and warnings to heed.

When we look at the intricacy of a snowflake, the symmetry of a butterfly, or the perfect location of the earth’s position in the rest of the solar system, we see the handiwork of our Creator God. He also planned that we would be made in His image (Genesis 1:26), so it is no surprise that we get to experience the wonder and joy of creativity ourselves.

It’s hard for the out-of-work person and for his or her loved ones to stay positive, especially if the unemployment drags on and on. Here are eight ways you can encourage your unemployed loved one, whether it’s a spouse, relative, friend, neighbor, or church member.

God knows what we want and He knows our hearts' desires, but He is going to give us what we need, the deep-rooted gifts that provide ultimate satisfaction to our souls.

There will always be something in life that will rock our world, knock us off our feet, or overwhelm our souls in a way we don’t know how to handle. But God’s Word gives us the hope and help we need when we don’t know what to do.

Being a Youth Pastor or a Youth Volunteer is a tough, but incredibly rewarding gig. Just like everyone else — in fact probably more so — they need our support, encouragement and to be treated like a valuable part of the church.

God has given everyone the ability to see a need and act on it. He seems to expect us to notice it and get to work rather than waiting for a special call from him. There is no biblical formula for translating the world's needs into a precise job calling. That's why you need to seek God's guidance in the various forms of discernment available to you.

“How are things going for you, pastor?”“Doing great! I have been crazy busy lately. We have quite a bit going on with it being around the holidays. Busy. Busy. Busy.”The parishioner has a bit of concern for the pastor, hoping he doesn’t burn out. But she is also encouraged that her pastor has such a great work ethic and isn’t a lazy bum like some other pastors that she hears about. Good that he’s keeping busy with kingdom work. Better to burn out than rust out, right?--“How are things going for you, pastor?”“Doing great! I’m not busy at the moment. In fact, I can’t think of the last time that I’ve really felt busy or overworked. I have finished most of my work for the week and I’m going to spend some time taking a nature hike today.”Is the parishioner encouraged by this response?Photo credit: ©Getty Images/grinvalds

Church is not the only place we should learn about God, and it can often be a place people stop going because of abuse, ridicule, and hurt. By choosing to go to a seminary, you will be taught under trained theologians who understand the Bible and have a passion for helping others learn.

May the Lord give you the wisdom to see the soul spaces where busyness has robbed you and the grace to de-throne the idol that busyness can be, and replace it, instead. with the kind of worship and rest that God created for us.

So are you a workaholic, or just someone who loves work? If you’re just a lover of work, that means you can also set it aside and not be wracked with guilt, obsessive compulsions to return to it, anxiety, panic, or depression.